Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. In the method, a relay node acquires first configuration information of the relay node; and then, an MT of the relay node determines, on the basis of the first configuration information, a cell satisfying a preset rule to camp on, or determines, on the basis of the first configuration information, whether a cell that the MT currently camps on or accesses is a cell satisfying the preset rule. Compared with the technical solution in the conventional technology whereby a cell on which an MT camps is selected only according to signal strength, the method can increase the probability of the MT camping on a cell that has less interference and can operate normally, thereby improving the communication efficiency of a backhaul link.

Description

A communication method and a communication device

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411089193.2, filed on August 8, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and a communication device", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication, in particular to a communication method and a communication device. BACKGROUND

[0003] Relay nodes are generally deployed in areas with poor signal coverage to expand or improve network coverage. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is discussing a new type of relay node: wireless access backhaul (WAB) device. The WAB device includes next generation node B (gNB) function (referred to as WAB-gNB) and mobile terminal (MT) function (referred to as WAB-MT). Among them, the operating frequency of the WAB-gNB is configured by the network management device, and the operating frequency of the WAB-MT is the frequency of the cell that meets the access condition when the WAB-MT performs cell measurement, i.e., the frequency of the accessed cell.

[0004] In the case where the operating frequency of the WAB-gNB is the same as the operating frequency of the WAB-MT, if the WAB-gNB and the WAB-MT work at the same time, interference may occur. Therefore, how to reduce the probability of generating the aforementioned interference has become a hot topic in the industry. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device for improving the flexibility of the gNB part of the relay node and / or the UE part of the relay node in determining the operating frequency, and reducing the probability of the relay node generating interference.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a relay node or a component (such as a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the relay node. Taking the relay node as an example, the relay node obtains first configuration information of the relay node; then, the MT of the relay node determines a cell satisfying a preset rule based on the first configuration information, and the cell satisfying the preset rule is used to determine a camping cell of the MT of the relay node; or determines whether the cell in which the MT camps or accesses is a cell satisfying the preset rule based on the first configuration information.

[0007] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0008] The first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node, the first frequency information being used to indicate the operating frequency of the gNB; or the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preferred frequency information being used to indicate the operating frequency desired to be used by the MT; or the operating mode information of the relay node, the operating mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows the in-band operating mode and / or the out-of-band operating mode, the in-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, and the out-of-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies.

[0009] In this aspect, the MT of the relay node can determine the cell satisfying the preset rule to camp on based on at least one of the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node, the operating mode (e.g., the in-band operating mode or the out-of-band operating mode) of the relay node, and the preferred frequency information of the MT. Compared with the technical solution in the prior art that the MT camps on the cell only according to the signal strength, the probability of the MT camping on the cell with less interference and normal operation can be improved, and thus the communication efficiency of the backhaul link can be improved.

[0010] In a possible implementation, in a case where the first configuration information includes the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule includes that the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell corresponding to the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information.

[0011] In this embodiment, the MT of the relay node can refer to the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information configured by the network management device to filter the cell satisfying the preset rule, which is conducive to reducing the probability of the MT operating in the cell corresponding to an inappropriate frequency and reducing the probability of the MT of the relay node generating resource conflict or frequency interference.

[0012] In a possible implementation, in a case where the first configuration information includes the operating mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0013] If the operating mode information indicates that only the in-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell with the same operating frequency as the gNB; or if the operating mode information indicates that only the out-of-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell with different operating frequency from the gNB.

[0014] In this embodiment, the MT of the relay node can determine the cell satisfying the preset rule based on the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node and the operating mode configured by the network device, so that the MT of the relay node can operate in the operating mode configured by the network device (or the operating mode expected to be used by the relay node) after camping on or accessing the cell satisfying the preset rule, avoiding the conflict between the cell camped on or accessed by the MT and the operating mode, and reducing the probability that the relay node cannot operate normally due to the conflict of the operating mode.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0016] In the case that the relay node determines to operate in the in-band operating mode, or the operating mode information indicates that only the in-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same operating frequency as the gNB and supporting resource coordination of the relay node; or in the case that the relay node determines to operate in the out-band operating mode, or the operating mode information indicates that only the out-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different operating frequency from the gNB. Optionally, in the case that the relay node determines to operate in the out-band operating mode, or the operating mode information indicates that only the out-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different operating frequency from the gNB and having a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0017] In this embodiment, when the MT of the relay node determines the cell satisfying the preset rule in the in-band operating mode, the frequency of the cell is considered in addition to the capability of the cell supporting resource coordination, which is beneficial to reduce the probability of interference when the relay node operates in the in-band operating mode. When the MT of the relay node determines the cell satisfying the preset rule in the out-band operating mode, the frequency of the cell is considered in addition to the signal strength of the cell, which is beneficial to the MT operating in a cell having a better signal strength and obtaining better communication performance.

[0018] In a possible implementation, in the case that the relay node determines to operate in the in-band operating mode, the relay node sends first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the gNB to a backhaul access node corresponding to the cell accessed by the MT, and the first association relationship is used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to the same relay node.

[0019] Optionally, the resource configuration information of the gNB includes downlink / uplink / flexible (DUF) information of the gNB of the relay node, or hard / soft / non-available (HSNA) information of the gNB of the relay node, or duplexing information (multiplexing info) of the relay node.

[0020] In this embodiment, after receiving the first association relationship from the relay node, the backhaul access node can determine the MT and the gNB constituting the relay node based on the first association relationship. After receiving the resource configuration information of the gNB from the relay node, the backhaul access node can determine the resource configuration of the gNB constituting the relay node in each time domain unit (for example, each time slot) based on the resource configuration information of the gNB, and further determine whether to schedule the MT in each time domain unit, so that the gNB of the relay node and the MT of the relay node work in different time domain units as much as possible, so as to reduce the probability of interference generated by the relay node.

[0021] In a possible implementation, in a case where it is determined based on the first configuration information that the cell in which the MT resides is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, the MT performs cell reselection; or in a case where it is determined based on the first configuration information that the cell accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, the MT switches to an idle state and performs cell reselection.

[0022] For example, the MT sends a first NAS message to a core network device corresponding to the backhaul access node (i.e., the backhaul access node corresponding to the accessed cell), and the first NAS message is used to request deletion or deactivation of a protocol data unit (PDU) session established by the MT. When the MT does not have any activated PDU session, the MT is released to an idle state (IDLE state).

[0023] For example, the MT sends a second NAS message to a core network device corresponding to the backhaul access node (i.e., the backhaul access node corresponding to the accessed cell), and the second NAS message is used to request detachment. Then, the core network device corresponding to the backhaul access node instructs the backhaul access node to release the MT to an idle state (IDLE state).

[0024] In this embodiment, in a case where the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, the MT can trigger to perform cell reselection, and then select to reside or access in a cell satisfying the preset rule. This can avoid that the MT resides or accesses in an inappropriate cell and cannot work efficiently.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0026] The MT of the relay node receives a system broadcast message from the backhaul access node before determining the cell satisfying the preset rule, and the system broadcast message comprises capability information of at least one cell; the capability information of the cell is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the cell supports serving the relay node; or whether the cell supports serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode; or whether the cell supports serving the relay node in the out-band operation mode; or whether the cell supports resource coordination.

[0027] In the embodiment, when the MT of the relay node selects a cell to be camped on or accessed, the MT receives a system broadcast message from the backhaul access node to obtain the capability of each cell under the backhaul access node. This is advantageous in that the MT can consider whether the capability of the cell satisfies the preset rule when determining the cell satisfying the preset rule, thereby avoiding the MT camping on or accessing a cell that does not support serving the MT.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises:

[0029] The MT of the relay node receives a system broadcast message from the backhaul access node before determining the cell satisfying the preset rule, and the system broadcast message comprises capability information of at least one cell;

[0030] In the case that the system broadcast message carries the capability information of the cell, it is indicated that the cell supports serving the relay node, supports serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode, supports serving the relay node in the out-band operation mode, or supports resource coordination; in the case that the system broadcast message does not carry the capability information of the cell, it is indicated that the cell does not support serving the relay node, does not support serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode, does not support serving the relay node in the out-band operation mode, or does not support resource coordination.

[0031] In the embodiment, when the MT of the relay node selects a cell to be camped on or accessed, the MT receives a system broadcast message from the backhaul access node to obtain the capability of each cell under the backhaul access node. This is advantageous in that the MT can consider whether the capability of the cell satisfies the preset rule when determining the cell satisfying the preset rule, thereby avoiding the MT camping on or accessing a cell that does not support serving the MT.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information is information configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT enters the network; or the first configuration information is information configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT enters the network.

[0033] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a relay node or a component (e.g., a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the relay node. For example, the relay node acquires first configuration information of the relay node; and the relay node sends the first configuration information to a backhaul access node corresponding to a cell accessed by an MT of the relay node, the first configuration information being used by the backhaul access node to determine whether the cell accessed by the MT meets a preset rule.

[0034] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0035] The first frequency information of a base station unit gNB of the relay node, the first frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency of the gNB; or the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preferred frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT; or the operating mode information of the relay node, the operating mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band operating mode and / or an out-of-band operating mode, the in-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, and the out-of-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies; or the indication information of the relay node, the indication information being used to indicate a type of the relay node.

[0036] The type of the relay node can refer to whether the node is a layer three functional relay node, or whether the node is a relay node with gNB function and MT function, or whether the node is a WAB node.

[0037] In the present aspect, the MT of the relay node can send the first configuration information to the backhaul access node, and then the backhaul access node can determine whether the cell accessed by the MT meets the preset rule based on at least one of the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node, the operating mode (e.g., the in-band operating mode or the out-of-band operating mode) of the relay node, and the preferred frequency information. This is conducive to improving the probability of the MT accessing a cell with less interference and normal operation, and improving the performance of the relay node.

[0038] In a possible implementation, in a case where the first configuration information includes the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule includes:

[0039] The cell meeting the preset rule is a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information.

[0040] In a possible implementation, in a case where the first configuration information includes the operating mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0041] If the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same working frequency as the gNB; or if the working mode information indicates that only the out-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different working frequency from the gNB.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0043] In a case where the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode or the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same working frequency as the gNB and supporting resource coordination of the relay node; or in a case where the relay node determines to work in the out-band working mode or the working mode information indicates that only the out-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different working frequency from the gNB and having a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0045] In a case where the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, the relay node sends, to a backhaul access node corresponding to a cell accessed by the MT, the first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the gNB, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to the same relay node.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0047] The MT of the relay node receives a system broadcast message of a first cell, the first cell being a cell accessed by the MT, the system broadcast message including first capability information or second capability information of the first cell;

[0048] The first capability information of the first cell is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first cell supports serving the relay node; or the first cell supports serving the relay node working in the in-band working mode; or the first cell supports serving the relay node working in the out-band working mode; or the first cell supports resource coordination; and the second capability information of the first cell is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first cell does not support serving the relay node; or the first cell does not support serving the relay node working in the in-band working mode; or the first cell does not support serving the relay node working in the out-band working mode; or the first cell does not support resource coordination.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0050] The MT of the relay node receives a system broadcast message of a first cell, the first cell being a cell accessed by the MT;

[0051] In a case where the system broadcast message carries the capability information of the first cell, the first cell is indicated to support serving a relay node, supporting serving an in-band operation mode relay node, supporting serving an out-of-band operation mode relay node, or supporting resource coordination; in a case where the system broadcast message does not carry the capability information of the first cell, the first cell is indicated to not support serving a relay node, not support serving an in-band operation mode relay node, not support serving an out-of-band operation mode relay node, or not support resource coordination.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0053] In a case where the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, the relay node receives a first message from the backhaul access node, and the first message is used to release a radio resource control (RRC) connection between the MT and the backhaul access node.

[0054] Optionally, the first message is an RRC message. For example, the first message is an RRC Release message. Optionally, the first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the MT is redirected to the cell satisfying the preset rule. For example, the first indication information is RRC Release with redirect. After receiving the first message, the MT performs cell reselection, and then accesses the cell satisfying the preset rule after reselecting to the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0055] In this embodiment, after determining that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, the backhaul access node indicates that the MT is redirected to the cell satisfying the preset rule, so as to quickly reselect the MT to the cell satisfying the preset rule. This is not only beneficial to providing the efficiency of cell reselection of the MT, but also beneficial to improving the probability of reselecting the MT to the cell satisfying the preset rule, thereby reducing resource conflict or interference of the relay node and improving the performance of the relay node.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0057] In a case where the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, the relay node receives a second message from the backhaul access node, and the second message is used to indicate that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0058] Optionally, the second message comprises second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a reason why the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule. Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving the relay node; or the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving the relay node in an in-band operation mode; or the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving the relay node in an out-of-band operation mode; or the cell accessed by the MT does not support resource coordination.

[0059] Optionally, after receiving the second message, the relay node sends a NAS message to a core network device corresponding to a backhaul access node (i.e., a backhaul access node corresponding to the cell accessed by the MT). The NAS message is used to request deactivation or deletion of a protocol data unit (PDU) session established by the MT or request de-attachment.

[0060] In this embodiment, when the MT learns from the second message that the currently accessed cell is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, the MT can deactivate or delete the PDU session or de-attach to return to the idle state. This is beneficial for the MT to perform cell reselection in the idle state and then reselect to the cell satisfying the preset rule. This is beneficial for avoiding that the MT cannot work efficiently in the cell not satisfying the preset rule.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises:

[0062] In the case that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, the relay node receives a third message from the backhaul access node, and the third message is used to instruct the MT to switch to the cell satisfying the preset rule. Optionally, the third message comprises a measurement object configured by the backhaul access node for the MT, and a cell corresponding to the measurement object comprises the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0063] In this embodiment, after receiving the third message, the MT performs measurement reporting based on the measurement object, which is beneficial for the MT to quickly switch to the cell satisfying the preset rule and is beneficial for improving the efficiency of the MT switching.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information is information configured by a network management device for the relay node before the MT enters the network; or the first configuration information is information configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT enters the network.

[0065] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the present aspect are similar to those of some of the embodiments of the first aspect, and for details, refer to the specific implementation and advantages of the first aspect, which will not be described here.

[0066] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a backhaul access node or a component (e.g., a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the backhaul access node. For example, the backhaul access node receives first configuration information of a mobile terminal unit (MT) from a relay node; and determines whether a cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying a preset rule based on the first configuration information.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first configuration information comprises at least one of:

[0068] first frequency information of a base station unit (gNB) of the relay node, the first frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency of the gNB; or

[0069] preferred frequency information of the MT, the preferred frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency desired to be used by the MT; or

[0070] operating mode information of the relay node, the operating mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band operating mode and / or an out-of-band operating mode, the in-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, and the out-of-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies; or

[0071] indication information of the relay node, the indication information being used to indicate a type of the relay node.

[0072] In some embodiments, when the first configuration information comprises the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule comprises:

[0073] the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell corresponding to the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information.

[0074] In some embodiments, when the first configuration information comprises the operating mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further comprises at least one of:

[0075] if the operating mode information indicates that only the in-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same operating frequency as the gNB; or if the operating mode information indicates that only the out-of-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different operating frequency from the gNB.

[0076] In some embodiments, the preset rule further comprises at least one of:

[0077] In a case where the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, or in a case where the relay node works in the in-band working mode, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same working frequency as the gNB and supporting resource coordination of the relay node; or in a case where the working mode information indicates that only the out-band working mode is allowed, or in a case where the relay node works in the out-band working mode, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different working frequency from the gNB and having a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0078] In a possible implementation, in a case where the first configuration information includes first frequency information of a gNB of the relay node, the backhaul access node determines, based on the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node and frequencies of cells accessed by the MT of the relay node, whether the relay node works in the in-band working mode or the out-band working mode. Specifically, when the first frequency information of the gNB is the same as the frequencies of the cells accessed by the MT, the relay node works in the in-band working mode; and when the first frequency information of the gNB is different from the frequencies of the cells accessed by the MT, the relay node works in the out-band working mode.

[0079] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0080] In a case where the relay node works in the in-band working mode, the backhaul access node receives, from the relay node, first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the gNB, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to the same relay node.

[0081] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0082] In a case where the backhaul access node supports serving the relay node, a system broadcast message is sent, the system broadcast message including first capability information of a first cell, the first cell being a cell accessed by the MT; the first capability information of the first cell being used to indicate at least one of the following: the first cell supports serving the relay node; or the first cell supports serving the relay node working in the in-band working mode; or the first cell supports serving the relay node working in the out-band working mode; or the first cell supports resource coordination.

[0083] Or,

[0084] In a case where the backhaul access node does not support serving the relay node, a system broadcast message is sent, the system broadcast message including second capability information of a first cell; the second capability information of the first cell being used to indicate at least one of the following: the first cell does not support serving the relay node; or the first cell does not support serving the relay node working in the in-band working mode; or the first cell does not support serving the relay node working in the out-band working mode; or the first cell does not support resource coordination.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0086] In a case where the backhaul access node supports serving the relay node, the system broadcast message includes the capability information of at least one cell; the system broadcast message carries the capability information of the first cell, used to indicate that the first cell supports serving the relay node, supports serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode, supports serving the relay node in the out-band operation mode, or supports resource coordination, the first cell being the cell accessed by the MT; the system broadcast message does not carry the capability information of the first cell, used to indicate that the first cell does not support serving the relay node, does not support serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode, does not support serving the relay node in the out-band operation mode, or does not support resource coordination.

[0087] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0088] In a case where it is determined that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, the backhaul access node sends a first message to the MT, the first message being used to release the RRC connection between the MT and the backhaul access node.

[0089] Optionally, the first message includes first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the MT is redirected to the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0091] In a case where it is determined that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, the backhaul access node sends a second message to the MT, the second message being used to indicate that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0092] Optionally, the second message includes second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate the reason why the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0093] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0094] The cell accessed by the MT does not support serving the relay node; or, the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode; or, the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving the relay node in the out-band operation mode; or, the cell accessed by the MT does not support resource coordination.

[0095] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0096] In a case where it is determined that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, the backhaul access node sends a fourth message to the MT, the fourth message being used to instruct the MT to switch to the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0097] Optionally, the fourth message comprises a measurement object configured by the backhaul access node for the MT, and the cell corresponding to the measurement object comprises the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0098] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises:

[0099] obtaining capability information of at least one neighboring cell, wherein the capability information of the neighboring cell is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0100] whether the neighboring cell supports serving the relay node; or whether the neighboring cell supports serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode; or whether the neighboring cell supports serving the relay node in the out-of-band operation mode; or whether the neighboring cell supports resource coordination.

[0101] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information is information configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT accesses the network; or the first configuration information is information configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT accesses the network.

[0102] It should be noted that the specific implementation and beneficial effects of the present aspect are similar to some of the implementation modes of the second aspect described above, and specific reference can be made to the specific implementation and beneficial effects of the second aspect, which will not be described here.

[0103] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a relay node or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the relay node. Taking the relay node as an example, the relay node obtains second frequency information of a base station unit gNB of the relay node and frequency information of a mobile terminal unit MT of the relay node, the second frequency information of the gNB is used to indicate a plurality of frequencies supported by the gNB, and the frequency information of the MT is used to indicate an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT or an operating frequency currently used by the MT; the relay node determines an operating frequency of the gNB satisfying a preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is at least one frequency in the plurality of frequencies indicated by the second frequency information, and the operating frequency satisfying the preset rule is used to determine the operating frequency used by the gNB.

[0104] In the present aspect, in the case where the network management device configures a plurality of frequencies for the gNB of the relay node, the gNB of the relay node can determine the frequency satisfying the preset rule as the operating frequency used by the gNB based on the frequency information of the MT, which is beneficial to avoid improper selection of the operating frequency of the gNB and thus the cell accessed by the MT cannot work normally, and is beneficial to reduce the probability that the relay node cannot work normally.

[0105] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises:

[0106] The relay node obtains working mode information of the relay node, the working mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band working mode and / or an out-band working mode, the in-band working mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at the same frequency, and the out-band working mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at different frequencies. The relay node determines a working frequency of the gNB that satisfies a preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT, including: the relay node determines the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT, and the working mode information.

[0107] In a possible implementation, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0108] In a case where the working mode information is used to indicate that the relay node only allows the in-band working mode, or the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule is the same frequency as the working frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in a case where the working mode information is used to indicate that the relay node only allows the out-band working mode, or the relay node determines to work in the out-band working mode, the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule is a frequency different from the working frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0109] In a possible implementation, the relay node determines the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT, including: in a case where the currently used working frequency of the gNB does not satisfy the preset rule, the relay node determines the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT.

[0110] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0111] The relay node obtains capability information of a second cell, the second cell being a cell corresponding to the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT, or a cell currently camped on or accessed by the MT. The relay node determines the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT, including: the relay node determines the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT, and the capability information of the second cell.

[0112] The capability information of the second cell is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0113] Whether the second cell supports serving the relay node; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in the in-band working mode; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in the out-band working mode; or whether the second cell supports resource coordination.

[0114] In a possible implementation, the preset rule comprises:

[0115] In a case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support resource coordination, or indicates that the serving of the relay node in the in-band operation mode is not supported, or indicates that the serving of the relay node is not supported, the operating frequency of the gNB that meets the preset rule is a frequency different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0116] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: sending, by the relay node, the operating frequency used by the gNB to the network management device, the operating frequency used by the gNB being one of the operating frequencies that meet the preset rule.

[0117] In a possible implementation, the second frequency information of the gNB is information configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT is accessed; or the second frequency information of the gNB is information configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT is accessed.

[0118] In a possible implementation, the operation mode information of the relay node is information configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT is accessed; or the operation mode information of the relay node is information configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT is accessed.

[0119] It should be noted that the specific implementation and beneficial effects of the present aspect are similar to those of some of the implementation modes of the foregoing aspects, and specific reference can be made to the specific implementation and beneficial effects of each aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0120] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a relay node or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the relay node. Taking the relay node as an example, the relay node sends frequency information of a mobile terminal unit (MT) of the relay node to a network management device, the frequency information of the MT being used to indicate an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT or an operating frequency currently used by the MT; the relay node receives third frequency information of a baseband unit (gNB) of the relay node from the network management device, the third frequency information being used to indicate operating frequencies of the gNB that meet a preset rule, the operating frequencies of the gNB that meet the preset rule being used to determine an operating frequency used by the gNB.

[0121] In the present aspect, the gNB of the relay node can send the frequency information of the MT to the network management device, and determine the operating frequency used by the gNB based on the foregoing information. Since the network management device considers the operating frequency of the MT and other factors when determining the frequency that meets the preset rule, it is beneficial to reduce the probability that the MT cannot work normally in the accessed cell.

[0122] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0123] The relay node sends, to the network management device, working mode information of the relay node, the working mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band working mode and / or an out-of-band working mode, the in-band working mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at the same frequency, and the out-of-band working mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at different frequencies.

[0124] In a possible implementation, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0125] In a case where the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule is a frequency that is the same as the working frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in a case where the relay node determines to work in the out-of-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule is a frequency that is different from the working frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0126] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0127] sending, to the network management device, capability information of a second cell, the second cell being a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT, or a cell currently camped on or accessed by the MT;

[0128] The capability information of the second cell is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0129] whether the second cell supports serving the relay node; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in the in-band working mode; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in the out-of-band working mode; or whether the second cell supports resource coordination.

[0130] In a possible implementation, the preset rule includes:

[0131] In a case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support resource coordination, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving the relay node in the in-band working mode, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving the relay node, the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule is a frequency that is different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0132] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0133] The relay node determines a working frequency used by the gNB based on the third frequency information, the working frequency used by the gNB being one of the working frequencies satisfying the preset rule indicated by the third frequency information; and the relay node sends the working frequency used by the gNB to the network management device.

[0134] In a possible implementation, the working mode information of the relay node is information configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT is put into the network; or the working mode information of the relay node is information configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT is put into the network; or the working mode information of the relay node is information determined by the relay node.

[0135] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the present aspect are similar to those of some of the above aspects, and specific implementation and advantages of each aspect can be referred to the specific implementation and advantages of each aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0136] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a network management device or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the network management device. Taking the network management device as an example, the network management device receives frequency information of a mobile terminal unit (MT) from a relay node, the frequency information of the MT being used to indicate a working frequency expected to be used by the MT or a working frequency currently used by the MT; the network management device determines third frequency information of a baseband unit (gNB) of the relay node based on the frequency information of the MT, the third frequency information being used to indicate working frequencies of the gNB satisfying a preset rule, and the working frequencies satisfying the preset rule being used to determine a working frequency used by the gNB; and the network management device sends the third frequency information to the relay node.

[0137] In a possible implementation, the network management device determines the third frequency information of the gNB of the relay node based on the frequency information of the MT and working mode information, the working mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band working mode and / or an out-of-band working mode, the in-band working mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at the same frequency, and the out-of-band working mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at different frequencies.

[0138] In a possible implementation, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0139] In a case where the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the working frequencies of the gNB satisfying the preset rule are frequencies same as the working frequencies indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in a case where the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the working frequencies of the gNB satisfying the preset rule are frequencies different from the working frequencies indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0140] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving, by the network management device, capability information of the second cell from the relay node, and determining third frequency information based on the frequency information of the MT and the capability information of the second cell, the second cell being a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT or a cell currently camped on or accessed by the MT; the capability information of the second cell being used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second cell supports serving the relay node; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in an in-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in an out-of-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports resource coordination.

[0141] In a possible implementation, the preset rule includes:

[0142] In a case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support resource coordination, or does not support serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode, or does not support serving the relay node, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or

[0143] In a case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell supports resource coordination, or supports serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode, or supports serving the relay node, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency same as or different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0144] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0145] The network management device receives, from the relay node, an operating frequency used by the gNB, the operating frequency used by the gNB being one of the operating frequencies satisfying the preset rule indicated by the third frequency information.

[0146] In a possible implementation, the operation mode information of the relay node is information configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT is accessed; or the operation mode information of the relay node is information configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT is accessed; or the operation mode information of the relay node is information determined by the relay node.

[0147] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the present aspect are similar to some of the implementation modes of the fifth aspect, and for details, refer to the specific implementation and advantages of the fifth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0148] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a relay node or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, or the like) of the relay node. For example, the relay node determines to work in an in-band operation mode, and the MT of the relay node sends first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the gNB to a backhaul access node corresponding to a cell accessed by the MT, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to the same relay node.

[0149] Optionally, the resource configuration information of the gNB includes DUF information of the gNB of the relay node, or HSN A information of the gNB of the relay node, or duplex information of the relay node.

[0150] Optionally, the relay node determines to work in an out-of-band operation mode, and the MT of the relay node determines not to send the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB to the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell accessed by the MT, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to the same relay node.

[0151] In this aspect, the relay node can send the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB to the backhaul access node when working in the in-band operation mode, which is beneficial to deciding whether to schedule the MT or when to schedule the MT based on the resource usage of the gNB, so that the gNB of the relay node and the MT of the relay node work in different time domain units as much as possible when working in the same frequency, which is beneficial to reducing the probability of interference generated by the relay node. In addition, the relay node does not send the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB to the backhaul access node when working in the out-of-band operation mode, which can reduce signaling overhead when it is determined that no interference is generated.

[0152] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a backhaul access node or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, or the like) of the backhaul access node. For example, the backhaul access node supports serving a relay node, and the backhaul access node sends a system broadcast message, the system broadcast message including first capability information of at least one cell; the first capability information of the cell being used to indicate at least one of the following: the cell supports serving the relay node; or the cell supports serving the relay node in an in-band operation mode; or the cell supports serving the relay node in an out-of-band operation mode; or the cell supports resource coordination.

[0153] In the case that the backhaul access node supports serving the relay node, the backhaul access node sends a system broadcast message, the system broadcast message including first capability information of at least one cell; the first capability information of the cell being used to indicate at least one of the following: the cell supports serving the relay node; or the cell supports serving the relay node in an in-band operation mode; or the cell supports serving the relay node in an out-of-band operation mode; or the cell supports resource coordination.

[0154] In the case that the backhaul access node supports serving the relay node, the backhaul access node sends a system broadcast message, the system broadcast message including first capability information of at least one cell; the first capability information of the cell being used to indicate at least one of the following: the cell supports serving the relay node; or the cell supports serving the relay node in an in-band operation mode; or the cell supports serving the relay node in an out-of-band operation mode; or the cell supports resource coordination.

[0155] In a case that the backhaul access node does not support serving the relay node, the backhaul access node sends a system broadcast message, the system broadcast message comprising second capability information of at least one cell; the second capability information of the cell is used to indicate at least one of the following: the cell does not support serving the relay node; or, the cell does not support serving the relay node in an in-band operation mode; or, the cell does not support serving the relay node in an out-band operation mode; or, the cell does not support resource coordination.

[0156] In the aspect, the backhaul access node carries the capability information of the cell in the system broadcast message, and informs the MT whether the cell supports resource coordination by using the system broadcast message, so that the MT can refer to the capability of at least one cell when selecting a cell to camp on or access, and thus helps the MT to determine a suitable cell and improves the efficiency of the MT in selecting a cell.

[0157] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a backhaul access node or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) of the backhaul access node. Taking the backhaul access node as an example:

[0158] In a case that the backhaul access node supports serving the relay node, a system broadcast message is sent, the system broadcast message comprising capability information of at least one cell; wherein the system broadcast message carries the capability information of the first cell, and is used to indicate that the first cell supports serving the relay node, supports serving the relay node in an in-band operation mode, supports serving the relay node in an out-band operation mode, or supports resource coordination; the system broadcast message does not carry the capability information of the first cell, and is used to indicate that the first cell does not support serving the relay node, does not support serving the relay node in an in-band operation mode, does not support serving the relay node in an out-band operation mode, or does not support resource coordination.

[0159] In the aspect, the backhaul access node indicates that the first cell supports resource coordination by carrying the capability information of the first cell in the system broadcast message, and indicates that the first cell does not support resource coordination by not carrying the capability information of the first cell in the system broadcast message. The first cell can be informed by using less signaling overhead, and thus the MT can refer to the capability of the first cell when selecting a cell to camp on or access, and thus helps the MT to determine a suitable cell and improves the efficiency of the MT in selecting a cell.

[0160] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be the relay node in the foregoing embodiments, or a chip in the relay node. The communication apparatus can include a module, unit or means for performing the method of the relay node in any of the foregoing embodiments. The communication apparatus can include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the communication apparatus is the relay node, the processing module can be a processor and the transceiver module can be a transceiver. The communication apparatus can further include a storage module, which can be a memory. The storage module is configured to store instructions, and the processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module to enable the communication apparatus to perform the method of the relay node in any of the foregoing embodiments. When the communication apparatus is a chip in the relay node, the processing module can be a processor and the transceiver module can be an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module to enable the communication apparatus to perform the method of the relay node in any of the foregoing embodiments. The storage module can be a storage module (e.g., a register, a cache, etc.) in the chip, or a storage module (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.) outside the chip in the relay node.

[0161] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be the backhaul access node in the foregoing embodiments, or a chip in the backhaul access node. The communication apparatus can include a module, unit or means for performing the method of the backhaul access node in any of the foregoing embodiments. The communication apparatus can include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the communication apparatus is the backhaul access node, the processing module can be a processor and the transceiver module can be a transceiver. The communication apparatus can further include a storage module, which can be a memory. The storage module is configured to store instructions, and the processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module to enable the communication apparatus to perform the method of the backhaul access node in any of the foregoing embodiments. When the communication apparatus is a chip in the backhaul access node, the processing module can be a processor and the transceiver module can be an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module to enable the communication apparatus to perform the method of the backhaul access node in any of the foregoing embodiments. The storage module can be a storage module (e.g., a register, a cache, etc.) in the chip, or a storage module (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.) outside the chip in the backhaul access node.

[0162] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be the network management device in the foregoing embodiments, or a chip in the network management device. The communication apparatus can include a module, unit or means for performing the method of the network management device in any of the foregoing aspects. The communication apparatus can include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the communication apparatus is the network management device, the processing module can be a processor, and the transceiver module can be a transceiver. The communication apparatus can further include a storage module, which can be a memory. The storage module is configured to store instructions, and the processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method of the network management device in any of the foregoing aspects. When the communication apparatus is a chip in the network management device, the processing module can be a processor, and the transceiver module can be an input / output interface, a pin, a circuit, or the like. The processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method of the network management device in any of the foregoing aspects. The storage module can be a storage module (e.g., a register, a cache, or the like) in the chip, or a storage module (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, or the like) outside the chip in the network management device.

[0163] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip can include a module, unit or means for performing the method introduced in any of the foregoing aspects. The integrated circuit chip includes a processor. The processor is coupled with a memory, and the memory is configured to store a program or instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the communication apparatus to perform the method introduced in any of the foregoing aspects.

[0164] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method introduced in any of the foregoing aspects.

[0165] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method introduced in any of the foregoing aspects.

[0166] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a backhaul access node and a relay node performing the method introduced in the foregoing first aspect and any of the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0167] In a seventeenth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, which comprises the relay node performing the second aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the second aspect, and the backhaul access node performing the third aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the third aspect.

[0168] In an eighteenth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, which comprises the backhaul access node, the network management device, and the relay node performing the fourth aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the fourth aspect.

[0169] In a nineteenth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, which comprises the relay node performing the fifth aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the fifth aspect, and the backhaul access node performing the sixth aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the sixth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0170] FIG. 1A is an example diagram of a system architecture of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0171] FIG. 1B is another example diagram of a system architecture of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0172] FIG. 1C is another example diagram of a system architecture of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0173] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0174] FIG. 3 is another flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0175] FIG. 4 is another flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0176] FIG. 5 is another flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0177] FIG. 6 is another flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0178] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0179] FIG. 8 is another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0180] FIG. 9 is another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0181] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all of the embodiments of the present application.

[0182] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", and the like in the description and in the claims of the present application and above drawings, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar objects and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the application described herein are, for example, capable of efficient implementation irrespective of the terms used herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", and the like are to be construed in a non- limiting fashion as the term "comprising" is to be taken in its broadest and most liberal sense. It is noted that the use or citation of any reference numeral in the description is not a limitation on the application but is for descriptive purpose only.

[0183] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this document is merely used to describe associated objects, and can represent the following three meanings: A and / or B can mean that there are three cases, for example, A alone, A and B, and B alone, where A and B can be single or multiple. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. In addition, "at least one of the following" or similar expressions in this document are used to represent any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B and (or) C can represent the following six cases: A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B, B and C, A and C, where A, B, C can be single or multiple.

[0184] For ease of understanding, the system architecture and application scenarios of the communication method proposed in this application are introduced as follows:

[0185] The communication method proposed in this application can be applied to the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) system and future communication systems, which is not limited by this application.

[0186] As shown in FIG. 1A, the communication system at least includes a terminal device 01, a relay node 02, a backhaul access node 03, a core network device 04 and a network management device 05.

[0187] The terminal device 01 refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity for a user. For example, the terminal device 01 includes a handheld device having wireless connection capabilities or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device 01 can communicate with a core network (e.g., a 5th generation core (5GC)) via a radio access network (RAN), and can exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. The terminal device 01 can also be referred to as a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a wireless terminal device, a mobile terminal (MT) device, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), a mobile, a remote station, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, or a user device, etc. In addition, the terminal device 01 can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. It should be understood that the terminal device 01 in the present application can be any of the above devices or chips, and in the present and subsequent embodiments, the terminal device is taken as an example for introduction.

[0188] The relay node 02, also referred to as a relay device, is generally deployed in areas with poor signal coverage to expand or improve network coverage. The relay node 02 in the present application mainly includes an MT module 021 and a gNB module 022. The MT module 021 has the functions of a normal terminal device, i.e., the MT module 021 has the protocol stack of a normal terminal device, so that the relay node with the MT module 021 can access the access node (e.g., backhaul access node) as a terminal device, obtain authorization of the core network, and establish a PDU session. The gNB module 022 can implement at least one layer three function (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) layer function), and one or more layer two functions (e.g., packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer function, radio link control (RLC) layer function, media access control (MAC) layer function, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer function, etc.). For example, the gNB module 022 can be a gNB, or a combination of a centralized unit (CU) (also referred to as a control unit) and a distributed unit (DU). In addition, the relay node 02 further includes an RU module 023. The RU module 023 is used to process intermediate frequency signals or radio frequency signals, and can perform amplification and forwarding operations on received radio frequency signals. The RU module 023 can be configured independently of the antenna device (e.g., antenna line device (ALD), also referred to as antenna linear device), or can be integrated with the antenna device. For example, in a 5G NR system, the aforementioned RU module 023 can be an active antenna unit (AAU), i.e., a processing unit integrated with a remote radio unit (RRU) (or remote radio head (RRH)) and an antenna device. It should be understood that each functional module in the relay node 02 (e.g., the MT module 021, the gNB module 022, and the RU module 023 shown in FIG. 1A, etc.) can be a module implemented by hardware or a logical module implemented by software, and the present application is not limited. The relay node 02 in the present application is mainly a layer three relay node, i.e., a relay node capable of implementing at least one layer three function.Exemplarily, the relay node 02 in the present application can be a wireless access backhaul (WAB) node, or other relay nodes containing gNB functions and UE functions, or other relay nodes with layer 3 functions, and the present application is not limited. In subsequent embodiments, WAB is mainly taken as an example for introduction.

[0189] The backhaul access node 03 is an access node providing wireless backhaul (BH) function for the relay node 02, and is capable of connecting the relay node 02 accessing the backhaul access node 03 to the core network device 04 and / or the network management device 05 serving the relay node 02. The backhaul access node 03 also has the function of a common access node. For example, the backhaul access node 03 is configured with a base band unit (BBU) and has base band signal processing function. For another example, the backhaul access node 03 has wireless transceiving function, wireless link maintenance function, wireless resource management function, part of mobility management function, and other air interface related functions. Exemplarily, the backhaul access node 03 can be a gNB with backhaul function, or a RAN device with backhaul function including a centralized unit (CU) (also referred to as a control unit) and / or a distributed unit (DU). The RAN device including the CU and the DU splits the protocol layers of the gNB in the NR system, and the functions of part of the protocol layers are placed in the CU for centralized control, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU. Multiple DUs can share one CU. The splitting of the CU and the DU can be according to the protocol stack. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, one possible way is to deploy the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers in the CU, and the remaining radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical (PHY) layer in the DU. The CU and the DU are connected through the F1 interface. The CU represents the gNB to connect to the core network through the NG interface, and to connect to other gNBs through the Xn interface, and can also represent the gNB to connect to other backhaul access nodes (for example, other gNBs or eNBs) through the X2 interface to perform dual connectivity operation.It should be noted that the backhaul access node 03 in the present application at least includes an access node capable of providing backhaul services for a layer three relay node (for example, a WAB), or an access node supporting resource negotiation or resource coordination or resource multiplexing for a relay node working in an in-band mode (for example, a WAB-gNB and a WAB-MT work in the same frequency, or the frequency used by the access link and the backhaul link is the same). In the present application, resource coordination and resource multiplexing have the same meaning, which means that the backhaul access node sets the multiplexing rule of the MT and the gNB of the relay node on the same physical resource (for example, frequency) based on the duplexing capability of the relay node, to avoid mutual interference between the MT and the gNB. For example, the backhaul access node (BH gNB or BH-RAN-NODE) defined by 3GPP in R19. The backhaul access node 03 in the present application can be any of the above devices or chips, and in the present embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the backhaul access node is taken as an example for introduction.

[0190] The core network device 04 refers to a device in the core network (CN) that provides service support for the relay node 02. At present, some common examples of the core network device 04 are: an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, a session management function (SMF) entity, a user plane function (UPF) entity, and the like, which are not listed one by one here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for access management and mobility management of the relay node 02; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as session establishment of a user; and the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting external networks. It should be noted that the entity in the present application can also be referred to as a network element or a functional entity. For example, the AMF entity can also be referred to as an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity; for another example, the UPF entity can also be referred to as a UPF network element or a UPF functional entity, and the like. It should be noted that the core network device in the present application at least includes an AMF entity.

[0191] A network management device 05 is configured to manage and maintain the relay node 02. The network management device can be an operation administration and maintenance (OAM). Alternatively, the network management device 05 can be a functional network element located in the 5GC, or a functional network element deployed in a backbone network behind the 5GC, or a functional network element deployed in other locations, which are not limited in the present application. The network management device 05 is capable of configuring information for the relay node 02. For example, the network management device 05 configures a working frequency for the gNB part of the relay node 02, and / or configures a working frequency for the MT part of the relay node 02.

[0192] It should be understood that the communication method provided by the present application can also be applied to the architecture of an open RAN (O-RAN) as shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 1B, the architecture of the O-RAN mainly includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC), a gNB-CU supporting O-RAN functions, and a gNB-DU supporting O-RAN functions. The RIC is configured to collect network information and perform necessary optimization tasks. The RIC communicates with the gNB-CU through an E2 interface, and communicates with the gNB-DU through an E2 interface. The RIC can directly control the gNB-DU, or control the gNB-DU through the gNB-CU. The gNB-CU supporting O-RAN functions includes a BH-RAN-NODE-CU and a WAB-CU, and the gNB-DU supporting O-RAN functions includes a BH-RAN-NODE-DU and a WAB-DU. The BH-RAN-NODE-CU and the BH-RAN-NODE-DU constitute a backhaul access node, and the WAB-MT, the WAB-CU and the WAB-DU constitute a relay node.

[0193] As shown in FIG. 1C, taking the WAB device in the layer three relay node as an example, there is an air interface connection (for example, Un interface connection) between the UE part (that is, WAB-MT) of the WAB device and the backhaul access node (for example, BH-RAN-NODE-gNB); there is an air interface (for example, Un interface connection) between the gNB part (that is, WAB-gNB) of the relay node and the terminal device (that is, UE) accessed to the WAB-gNB; and there is a communication interface (for example, Xn interface and NG interface) between the WAB-gNB and other backhaul access node (for example, other BH-RAN-NODE-gNB) (or other access node (for example, other-gNB)). The WAB-MT communicates with the core network device of the MT (for example, UPF of the MT, AMF of the MT, etc.) through the BH-RAN-NODE-gNB, the BH-RAN-NODE-gNB is connected with the UPF of the MT through the N3 interface, and the BH-RAN-NODE-gNB is connected with the AMF of the MT through the N2 interface. The UE communicates with the core network device of the UE (for example, UPF of the UE, AMF of the UE / WAB, etc.) through the WAB-gNB, the WAB-gNB is connected with the UPF of the UE through the N3 interface, and the WAB-gNB is connected with the AMF of the UE / WAB through the N2 interface. In addition, the WAB-MT can also be connected with the network management device (for example, OAM).

[0194] In the conventional technology, the working frequency of the WAB-gNB is configured by the network management device, and the working frequency of the WAB-MT is the frequency of the cell that meets the access condition when the WAB-MT performs cell measurement, that is, the frequency of the accessed cell. Since the working frequency of the WAB-gNB and the working frequency of the WAB-MT are determined by different devices, the working frequency of the WAB-gNB and the working frequency of the WAB-MT can be the same or different. In the case that the working frequency of the WAB-gNB and the working frequency of the WAB-MT are the same, if the WAB-gNB and the WAB-MT work at the same time, interference can be generated. For example, the communication between the WAB-gNB and the UE accessed to the WAB-gNB and the communication between the WAB-MT and the backhaul access node can generate interference.

[0195] To this end, the present application provides a communication method for solving the foregoing problem, which reduces the probability of interference generated by the relay node by improving the flexibility of determining the working frequency of the WAB-gNB and / or the working frequency of the WAB-MT.

[0196] The communication method provided by the present application will be introduced below in combination with FIG. 2:

[0197] As shown in FIG. 2, a flow chart of one embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application is shown. The communication method can be applied to signaling interaction between a relay node and a backhaul access node. It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the relay node; the actions of the backhaul access node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the backhaul access node, which are not limited in the embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0198] In step 201, the relay node obtains first configuration information of the relay node.

[0199] The first configuration information can be information configured by a network management device for the relay node before the MT of the relay node is put into a network, which can be understood as information pre-configured by the network management device for the relay node. The network management device can be an OAM or other network element having the function of managing and maintaining the relay node, which is not limited in the present application.

[0200] Specifically, the first configuration information includes at least one of first frequency information of a gNB of the relay node, preferred frequency information of the MT, and working mode information of the relay node. The following will be introduced respectively:

[0201] The first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node is used to indicate the working frequency of the gNB of the relay node. Optionally, the first frequency information indicates one working frequency of the gNB. For example, the first frequency information indicates frequency 1, and the WAB-gNB creates a cell at frequency 1, i.e., the working frequency of the WAB-gNB is frequency 1.

[0202] The preferred frequency information of the MT is used to indicate the working frequency expected to be used by the MT of the relay node. The working frequency expected to be used by the MT can also be understood as the working frequency supported to be used by the MT or the working frequency preferred to be used by the MT, which is not limited in the present application. Optionally, the preferred frequency information of the MT indicates at least one frequency, and any one of the at least one frequency can be the working frequency of the MT. For example, the preferred frequency information of the MT indicates frequency 1 and frequency 2, and the MT can select one frequency from frequency 1 and frequency 2 as the working frequency of the MT. Optionally, the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information of the MT has a greater probability of becoming the working frequency of the MT than the frequency not indicated by the preferred frequency information of the MT. For example, the MT measures three cells including cell 1 at frequency 1, cell 2 at frequency 2 and cell 3 at frequency 3 when selecting a cell. If the preferred frequency information of the MT indicates frequency 1 and frequency 2, the MT is more likely to select one cell from cell 1 and cell 2, i.e., the MT is more likely to select one frequency from frequency 1 and frequency 2 as the working frequency of the MT.

[0203] It should be noted that the preferred frequency information of the MT can also be referred to as the supported frequency information of the MT or the expected frequency information of the MT. The present application does not limit the specific name of the frequency information configured by the network management device for the MT of the relay device. In the present embodiment and subsequent embodiments, only the "preferred frequency information of the MT" is taken as an example for introduction. Those skilled in the art should understand that in some scenarios, the "preferred frequency information of the MT" in the embodiments of the present application can be replaced by "supported frequency information of the MT" or "expected frequency information of the MT" or "frequency information of the MT".

[0204] The working mode information of the relay node, used to indicate whether the relay node allows in-band working mode and / or out-band working mode. Wherein, the in-band working mode is used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at the same frequency, or in other words, the frequencies used by the access link and the backhaul link are the same; the out-band working mode is used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at different frequencies, or in other words, the frequencies used by the access link and the backhaul link are different. For example, if the working frequency of the gNB of the relay node is frequency 1, and the working frequency of the MT of the relay node is also frequency 1, it is said that the relay node works in the in-band working mode (i.e. in-band working mode) or the working mode of the relay node is the in-band working mode; if the working frequency of the gNB of the relay node is frequency 1, and the working frequency of the MT of the relay node is frequency 2, it is said that the relay node works in the out-band working mode (i.e. out-band working mode) or the working mode of the relay node is the out-band working mode. Optionally, the working mode information of the relay node can indicate that only the in-band working mode is allowed, or that only the out-band working mode is allowed, or that both the in-band working mode and the out-band working mode are allowed. Optionally, the working mode information of the relay node can indicate that the in-band working mode is not allowed, i.e. only the out-band working mode is allowed; or it can indicate that the out-band working mode is not allowed, i.e. only the in-band working mode is allowed.

[0205] Optionally, the relay node operation mode information can be represented by at least one bit. In an example, the relay node operation mode information can be represented by 1 bit, where "1" represents only in-band operation mode is allowed, and "0" represents only out-band operation mode is allowed. In another example, the relay node operation mode information can be represented by 2 bits, where "11" represents only in-band operation mode is allowed, "00" represents only out-band operation mode is allowed, and "01" or "10" represents both in-band operation mode and out-band operation mode are allowed. Optionally, the relay node operation mode information can be represented by slice identity. For example, a slice identity associated with in-band indicates in-band operation mode, and a slice identity associated with out-band indicates out-band operation mode. It should be understood that in actual application, other manners can also be used to indicate operation mode, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation manner of the operation mode information.

[0206] It should be noted that the aforementioned frequency (e.g., the operating frequency of the gNB, the operating frequency of the MT, etc.) can be a frequency point or a frequency range (e.g., a frequency band or a frequency segment), and the present application is not limited thereto. The embodiments and subsequent embodiments are only introduced by taking frequency as an example. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that in some scenarios, the "frequency" in the embodiments of the present application can be replaced by "frequency point", "frequency band" or "frequency segment".

[0207] In step 202, the relay node obtains the capability information of at least one cell.

[0208] The at least one cell can be a cell in which the MT of the relay node can camp or access in the future, a cell in which the MT of the relay node camps, or a cell in which the MT of the relay node accesses, and the present application is not limited thereto. In addition, the at least one cell can be a cell under the same backhaul access node, a cell under different backhaul access nodes, or a cell under different DUs of the same backhaul node, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0209] The capability information of the cell is used to indicate whether the cell supports serving the relay node, whether the cell supports serving the relay node in in-band operation mode, whether the cell supports serving the relay node in out-band operation mode, or whether the cell supports resource coordination. The in-band operation mode and the out-band operation mode are explained in the foregoing step 201, and the resource coordination is explained in the following step 203, and thus will not be described herein.

[0210] Optionally, if the cell supports serving relay nodes, the MT is allowed to access the cell, and the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell is able to identify that the MT is a UE part of a relay node rather than a legacy UE; if the cell does not support serving relay nodes, the MT is prohibited from accessing the cell, or the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell manages the MT as a legacy UE, or the cell is a cell of a legacy base station.

[0211] Optionally, if the cell supports serving relay nodes in an in-band operation mode, when the operating frequency of the MT is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB, the MT is allowed to access the cell, and the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell is able to decide whether to schedule the MT and when to schedule the MT based on the resource configuration of the gNB, so that the operating time slots of the gNB and the operating time slots of the MT can be staggered. If the cell does not support serving relay nodes in an in-band operation mode, when the operating frequency of the MT is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB, the MT is not allowed to access the cell, or the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell is not able to decide whether to schedule the MT and when to schedule the MT based on the resource configuration of the gNB, or the cell is a cell of a legacy base station.

[0212] Optionally, if the cell supports serving relay nodes in an out-of-band operation mode, when the operating frequency of the MT is different from the operating frequency of the gNB, the MT is allowed to access the cell. If the cell does not support serving relay nodes in an out-of-band operation mode, when the operating frequency of the MT is different from the operating frequency of the gNB, the MT is not allowed to access the cell.

[0213] Optionally, if the neighboring cell supports resource coordination, when the operating frequency of the MT is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB, the MT is allowed to access the cell, and the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell is able to decide whether to schedule the MT and when to schedule the MT based on the resource configuration of the gNB, so that the operating time slots of the gNB and the operating time slots of the MT can be staggered. If the cell does not support resource coordination, the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell is not able to decide whether to schedule the MT and when to schedule the MT based on the resource configuration of the gNB, or the cell is a cell of a legacy base station.

[0214] In addition, the backhaul access node is able to indicate the capability of the cell of the backhaul access node in an explicit or implicit manner, which will be introduced as follows:

[0215] In a possible implementation, the backhaul access node can send a system broadcast message including capability information of at least one cell, the capability information of the cell indicating whether the cell supports serving a relay node, whether the cell supports serving an in-band mode relay node, whether the cell supports serving an out-of-band mode relay node, or whether the cell supports resource coordination. The MT determines the capability of the cell based on the capability information of the cell in the received system broadcast message.

[0216] Optionally, taking a cell to be camped on or accessed by the MT of the relay node as a first cell as an example, the system broadcast message includes first capability information or second capability information of the first cell. The first capability information of the first cell is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first cell supports serving a relay node; or the first cell supports serving an in-band mode relay node; or the first cell supports serving an out-of-band mode relay node; or the first cell supports resource coordination. The second capability information of the first cell is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first cell does not support serving a relay node; or the first cell does not support serving an in-band mode relay node; or the first cell does not support serving an out-of-band mode relay node; or the first cell does not support resource coordination.

[0217] For example, the capability information of the cell can be represented by 1 bit, for example, "1" represents the first capability information, and "0" represents the second capability information. If the backhaul access node supports serving a WAB, the capability information of the cell carried in a system information block (SIB) by the backhaul access node is "1", to indicate that the cell of the backhaul access node supports the WAB, or supports resource coordination, or supports serving an in-band mode relay node. If the backhaul access node does not support serving a WAB, the capability information of the cell carried in the SIB by the backhaul access node is "0", to indicate that the cell of the backhaul access node does not support the WAB, or does not support resource coordination, or does not support serving an in-band mode relay node.

[0218] In another possible implementation, if the backhaul access node supports serving relay nodes, or, supports serving in-band mode relay nodes, or, supports serving out-of-band mode relay nodes, or, supports resource coordination, the system broadcast message sent by the backhaul access node includes the capability information of the cell. If the backhaul access node does not support serving relay nodes, or, does not support serving in-band mode relay nodes, or, does not support serving out-of-band mode relay nodes, or, does not support resource coordination, the system broadcast message sent by the backhaul access node does not include the capability information of the cell. The MT determines whether the backhaul access node supports serving relay nodes, or, supports serving in-band mode relay nodes, or, supports serving out-of-band mode relay nodes, or, supports resource coordination based on whether the capability information of the cell is carried in the received system broadcast message.

[0219] In another possible implementation, the gNB of the relay node obtains the capability information of at least one cell of the backhaul access node through an Xn interface with the backhaul access node. For example, the backhaul access node sends the capability information of the cell to the gNB of the relay node through an Xn interface message, and the gNB of the relay node transmits the capability information of the cell to the MT of the relay node.

[0220] It should be noted that in some scenarios, the three of “supports serving relay nodes”, “supports resource coordination”, and “supports serving in-band mode relay nodes” can be replaced with each other; or the three of “does not support serving relay nodes”, “does not support resource coordination”, and “does not support serving in-band mode relay nodes” can be replaced with each other. In subsequent embodiments, mainly taking whether the cell supports resource coordination as an example for introduction.

[0221] It should be noted that the aforementioned capability information of the cell can be understood as whether the cell supports a certain capability, or whether the cell allows enabling the capability. Taking the capability information of the cell indicating that resource coordination is not supported as an example, not supporting resource coordination can mean that the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell does not have the capability of resource coordination. For example, the cell is a cell of a traditional base station, and the cell of the traditional base station cannot implement resource coordination. Not supporting resource coordination can also mean that resource coordination is not allowed, which can be understood as that the cell has the capability of resource coordination but the backhaul access node does not allow enabling the function of resource coordination in the cell. For example, cell 1 and cell 2 are both cells of BH nodes, and each cell under the BH node has the capability of resource coordination, but the BH node does not enable the function of resource coordination in cell 1 and enables the function of resource coordination in cell 2. The BH node can broadcast not-support or barred in cell 1 to indicate that the MT in cell 1 is not allowed to provide the function of resource coordination. The BH node can broadcast support in cell 2 to indicate that the MT in cell 2 is allowed to provide the function of resource coordination.

[0222] Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, the description of the cell "supporting" or "not supporting" a certain service or capability can be replaced by "allowing" or "not allowing" a certain service or capability. In the embodiments and subsequent embodiments, the description of "supporting" or "not supporting" is mainly introduced.

[0223] It should be noted that step 202 is an optional step. For example, if the relay node works in the out-of-band working mode, since the out-of-band working mode will not cause great interference, the MT can work normally even if it accesses a traditional base station, and therefore, the MT can not perform step 202. In the case where the relay node performs step 202, steps 201 and 202 are not limited in time sequence.

[0224] In step 203, the MT of the relay node determines a cell satisfying a preset rule based on the first configuration information.

[0225] The cell satisfying the preset rule is used to determine the camping cell of the MT of the relay node. It can be understood that the MT of the relay node determines the cell satisfying the preset rule based on the first configuration information for camping, which is different from the technical solution in which the MT only selects a camping cell based on cell signal strength in the traditional technology. For the content contained in the first configuration information, please refer to the related introduction in step 201 in the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0226] It should be understood that the content contained in the first configuration information is different, and the preset rule that the MT of the relay node can refer to is also not completely the same. The following will introduce each preset rule respectively:

[0227] In a possible implementation, when the first configuration information comprises the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule comprises: the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell corresponding to the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information. That is, if the network device configures the preferred frequency information of the MT for the relay node, the MT determines one or more cells from the cells corresponding to the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information as the cells satisfying the preset rule. If the MT camps on or accesses the cell satisfying the preset rule, the working frequency of the MT is the frequency of the camped or accessed cell satisfying the preset rule. For example, the MT measures three cells including cell 1 corresponding to frequency 1, cell 2 corresponding to frequency 2 and cell 3 corresponding to frequency 3 when selecting a cell, if the preferred frequency information of the MT indicates frequency 1 and frequency 2, the MT determines cell 1 and cell 2 as the cells satisfying the preset rule, and the MT can camp on or access one of cell 1 and cell 2. If the MT camps on or accesses cell 1, the working frequency of the MT is the frequency of cell 1 (i.e., frequency 1).

[0228] It should be noted that when the MT also needs to consider other preset rules, the preferred frequency information of the MT can be one of reference factors for determining the cell satisfying the preset rule, and the cell satisfying the preset rule is not necessarily selected from the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information of the MT. For example, the MT measures three cells including cell 1 corresponding to frequency 1, cell 2 corresponding to frequency 2 and cell 3 corresponding to frequency 3 when selecting a cell, if the preferred frequency information of the MT indicates frequency 1 and frequency 2, but cell 3 corresponding to frequency 3 satisfies other preset rules (for example, a preset rule related to the working mode information which will be introduced later), and cell 1 corresponding to frequency 1 and cell 2 corresponding to frequency 2 do not satisfy the other preset rules, the MT can determine cell 3 as the cell satisfying the preset rule. If the MT camps on or accesses cell 3, the working frequency of the MT is the frequency of cell 3 (i.e., frequency 3).

[0229] In the embodiment, the MT of the relay node can refer to the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information configured by the network device to filter the cell satisfying the preset rule, which is beneficial to reduce the probability that the MT works in a cell corresponding to an inappropriate frequency, and is beneficial to reduce the probability that the MT of the relay node generates resource conflict or frequency interference.

[0230] In another possible implementation, in the case that the first configuration information comprises the working mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following: if the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same working frequency as the gNB; or, if the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different working frequency from the gNB. That is, if the working mode information configured by the network management device for the relay node indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, i.e., only the MT and the gNB work at the same frequency, the MT selects the cell satisfying the preset rule according to the working frequency of the gNB, i.e., the MT determines the cell having the same working frequency as the gNB as the cell satisfying the preset rule. If the working mode information configured by the network management device for the relay node indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, i.e., only the MT and the gNB work at different frequencies, the MT determines the cell having a different working frequency from the gNB as the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0231] It should be noted that the working frequency of the gNB of the relay node can be determined according to the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node. For example, if the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node indicates that the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 1, and the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the working frequency of the MT of the relay node needs to be the same as the working frequency of the gNB, i.e., the MT needs to work at frequency 1, and the MT will determine the cell at frequency 1 as the cell satisfying the preset rule. For another example, if the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node indicates that the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 1, and the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the working frequency of the MT of the relay node needs to be different from the working frequency of the gNB, i.e., the MT cannot work at frequency 1, and the MT will determine the cell at a frequency other than frequency 1 as the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0232] It should be noted that, if the network management device does not configure the preferred frequency information of the MT for the relay node or the preferred frequency information of the MT configured by the network management device is only for reference, the MT of the relay node mainly determines the cell satisfying the preset rule based on the preset rule related to the working mode information introduced in the present implementation.

[0233] It is also to be noted that, if the network management device configures the MT of the relay node with the preferred frequency information of the MT, and the preferred frequency information of the MT is a strong constraint, in the case that the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell with the same working frequency as the gNB, and the frequency of the cell satisfying the preset rule is one of the frequencies indicated by the preferred frequency information of the MT; or in the case that the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell with a different working frequency from the gNB, and the frequency of the cell satisfying the preset rule is one of the frequencies indicated by the preferred frequency information of the MT. Otherwise, the MT determines that no cell satisfying the preset rule is found. In an example, the network management device configures the preferred frequency information of the MT to indicate frequency 1 and frequency 2, and the relay node is configured to use the in-band working mode. If the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 1, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell corresponding to frequency 1; if the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 2, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell corresponding to frequency 2; if the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 3, the MT determines that no cell satisfying the preset rule is found. In another example, the network management device configures the preferred frequency information of the MT to indicate frequency 1 and frequency 2, and the relay node is configured to use the out-of-band working mode. If the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 1, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell corresponding to frequency 2; if the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 2, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell corresponding to frequency 1; if the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 3, both the cell corresponding to frequency 1 and the cell corresponding to frequency 2 can be the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0234] In the embodiment, the MT of the relay node can determine the cell satisfying the preset rule based on the working frequency of the gNB of the relay node and the working mode configured by the network management device, so that the MT of the relay node can work in the working mode configured by the network management device (or the working mode expected to be used by the relay node) after camping on or accessing the cell satisfying the preset rule, avoiding the conflict between the cell camped on or accessed by the MT and the working mode, and reducing the probability that the relay node cannot work normally due to the conflict of the working mode.

[0235] In another possible implementation, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0236] In the case that the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell with the same working frequency as the gNB and supporting the resource coordination of the relay node; or in the case that the relay node determines to work in the out-of-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is the cell with a different working frequency from the gNB and having a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0237] The working mode information can be configured by the network management device, i.e., the first configuration information includes the working mode information, or the working mode information can be generated by the relay node itself, i.e., the first configuration information does not include the working mode information but the working mode information is generated by the relay node itself, which is not limited herein. In addition, the relay node can not generate the working mode information but can autonomously decide to use the in-band working mode or the out-of-band working mode.

[0238] The resource coordination (also referred to as resource negotiation or resource multiplexing) refers to that the backhaul access node can decide whether to schedule or when to schedule the MT of the relay node based on the resource configuration of the gNB of the relay node, so as to reduce the probability of interference between the gNB and the MT of the relay node. For example, in the case where the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, i.e., the working frequency of the gNB of the relay node is the same as the working frequency of the MT of the relay node, in order to avoid interference caused by simultaneous working of the gNB and the MT, the backhaul access node offsets the working time slot of the MT from the working time slot of the gNB. For example, the backhaul access node does not schedule the MT of the relay node in the time slot in which the gNB of the relay node works, and schedules the MT of the relay node in the time slot in which the gNB of the relay node does not work. In addition, the cell supporting resource coordination (referred to as the cell supporting resource coordination for short) refers to that the backhaul access node can perform resource coordination on the relay node accessing the cell, i.e., offsets the working time slot of the MT of the relay node working in the in-band working mode from the working time slot of the gNB of the relay node. It should be noted that the cell supporting resource coordination can also be referred to as the cell supporting serving of the layer three relay node (e.g., WAB) (WAB-supported) or the cell supporting in-band working mode (inband-supported) or the cell supporting resource multiplexing. The present application does not limit the specific name of the cell having the capability of resource coordination, and in the present embodiment and subsequent embodiments, only the "cell supporting resource coordination" is taken as an example for description. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that in some scenarios, the "cell supporting resource coordination" in the present embodiment can be replaced by the "cell supporting serving of WAB" or the "cell supporting in-band working mode" or the "cell supporting resource multiplexing".

[0239] In addition, the cell with the signal strength greater than or equal to the preset value can be understood as a cell with a signal strength satisfying a camping or access condition when the MT performs cell measurement, that is, the preset value is a threshold value triggering camping or triggering access. It should be noted that the cell with the signal strength greater than or equal to the preset value can be a cell generated by a traditional backhaul access node, for example, a cell generated by a backhaul access node (for example, an IAB or NCR node) before R19; or can be the aforementioned cell supporting resource coordination, which is not limited in the present application.

[0240] In the embodiment, if the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, the relay node can need resource coordination of the backhaul access node to reduce interference, and the cell satisfying the preset rule determined by the MT needs not only a cell with the same operating frequency as the gNB of the relay node, but also a cell capable of supporting resource coordination. For example, if the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node is frequency 1, the frequency of cell 1 of backhaul access node 1 and the frequency of cell 2 of backhaul access node 2 are both frequency 1, wherein cell 1 supports resource coordination and cell 2 does not support resource coordination, the MT of the relay node determines cell 1 as a cell satisfying the preset rule. In addition, if the relay node works in the out-of-band operation mode, since the interference generated by the out-of-band operation mode is small (or no interference is generated), the relay node can not need resource coordination of the backhaul access node, and the cell with a different operating frequency from the gNB of the relay node and a better signal quality (for example, a cell with a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value) is a cell satisfying the preset rule. For example, if the relay node works in the out-of-band operation mode, the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node is frequency 1, the frequency of cell 1 of backhaul access node 1 is frequency 2, and the frequency of cell 2 of backhaul access node 2 is frequency 3, the signal strength of cell 1 measured by the MT is greater than the signal strength of cell 2, and the MT of the relay node determines cell 1 as a cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0241] It should be noted that if the network management device configures the preferred frequency information for the relay node, the MT needs to consider the cell corresponding to the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information when determining the cell satisfying the preset rule. For details, please refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0242] In the embodiment, when the MT of the relay node determines the cell satisfying the preset rule in the in-band operation mode, not only the frequency of the cell but also the capability of the cell supporting resource coordination is considered, which is beneficial to reduce the probability of interference generated when the relay node works in the in-band operation mode. When the MT of the relay node determines the cell satisfying the preset rule in the out-of-band operation mode, not only the frequency of the cell but also the signal strength of the cell is considered, which is beneficial to the MT working in a cell with a better signal strength and obtaining better communication performance.

[0243] In another possible implementation, when the first configuration information does not include the preferred frequency information of the MT or the preferred frequency information of the MT is only for reference, and the relay node allows two working modes (i.e., allows the in-band working mode and the out-of-band working mode) or is not configured with the working mode, the cell satisfying the preset rule is related to a working frequency of the gNB and a cell where the MT expects to camp. The cell where the MT expects to camp can be a cell with a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value, or a cell where the MT has historically camped or accessed, which is not limited in the application. If the frequency of the cell where the MT expects to camp is different from the working frequency of the gNB, i.e., the relay node works in the out-of-band working mode, the MT determines that the cell where the MT camps or accesses is the cell satisfying the preset rule. If the frequency of the cell where the MT expects to camp is the same as the working frequency of the gNB, i.e., the relay node works in the in-band working mode, the MT determines that the cell supporting resource coordination is the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0244] It can also be understood that, when the relay node allows two working modes (the working mode information configured by the network management device indicates that the two working modes are allowed, or the relay node determines that the two working modes are allowed) or is not configured with the working mode, any cell with any frequency can be the cell satisfying the preset rule. Optionally, any cell with a signal strength satisfying a preset value is the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0245] It should be noted that the preset rules introduced in the foregoing different implementations can be combined with each other, and the MT can determine the cell satisfying the preset rule based on one or more preset rules. When the MT determines the cell satisfying the preset rule based on multiple preset rules, the different preset rules can have different priorities. For example, when the network management device simultaneously configures the preferred frequency information of the MT and the working mode information of the MT, the priority of the preset rule related to the working mode information can be configured to be higher than the priority of the preset rule related to the preferred frequency information, or the priority of the preset rule related to the preferred frequency information can be configured to be higher than the priority of the preset rule related to the working mode information. This is beneficial to the MT of the relay node to determine a more suitable cell as the cell satisfying the preset rule, thereby reducing the probability that the relay node has resource conflicts or generates interference.

[0246] In this embodiment, if the relay node fails to find a cell satisfying the foregoing preset rule, the MT of the relay node does not camp, and the MT of the relay node always remains in a search state (for example, an Any Cell Selection state). This is beneficial to reduce the probability that the MT camps in a cell not satisfying the preset rule and causes abnormal work or greater interference.

[0247] In this embodiment, after the relay node determines the cell satisfying the preset rule, the MT accesses the cell satisfying the preset rule, and the MT enters the connected state. Optionally, in the measurement of the connected state, the MT only measures or only reports the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0248] In this embodiment, if the frequency of the cell satisfying the preset rule determined by the MT of the relay node is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node, after the MT of the relay node accesses the cell satisfying the preset rule, the relay node operates in the in-band operation mode. In this case, the MT of the relay node also performs step 204.

[0249] In step 204, the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB to the backhaul access node in the in-band operation mode. Correspondingly, the backhaul access node receives the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB from the relay node.

[0250] For example, in the case where the relay node determines to operate in the in-band operation mode, the MT of the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB to the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell accessed by the MT.

[0251] The first association relationship is used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to the same relay node. Optionally, the relay node can carry the identification information of the MT and / or the identification information of the gNB in the message sent to the backhaul access node, so as to indicate to the backhaul access node that the MT and the gNB belong to the same relay node. In an example, the MT of the relay node sends the identification information (such as the ID of the gNB and / or the IP address of the gNB) of the gNB of the relay node to the backhaul access node through an RRC message (such as a msg5 message). In another example, the gNB of the relay node sends the identification information (such as the C-RNTI of the MT) of the MT of the relay node to the backhaul access node through an Xn message.

[0252] The resource configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0253] The downlink / uplink / flexible (DUF) information of the gNB of the relay node, or the hard / soft / non-available (HSNA) information of the gNB of the relay node, or the duplexing info of the relay node.

[0254] The duplex information of the relay node is used to indicate the duplex mode of the relay node, i.e., whether the gNB of the relay node and the MT of the relay node support simultaneous operation. For example, the duplex information of the relay node indicates whether the MT of the relay node receives while the gNB of the relay node receives; or whether the MT of the relay node transmits while the gNB of the relay node transmits; or whether the MT of the relay node transmits while the gNB of the relay node receives; or whether the MT of the relay node receives while the gNB of the relay node transmits.

[0255] The DUF information and the HSNA information are configured in time domain units, and the DUF information and / or the HSNA information of different time domain units can be different. Optionally, the time domain unit can be a slot. For example, the DUF information is configured in slots, and the HSNA information is also configured in time domain units. With the development of communication technology, the DUF information and the HSNA information provided in the application can also be configured in other time domain units (for example, symbols, etc.), which are not limited here. In this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, only slots are introduced as the granularity.

[0256] The DUF information (also referred to as D / U / F information) is used to indicate that the transmission resource of one or more slots is used for Downlink (D) transmission, Uplink (U) transmission, or flexible (Uplink, U) scheduling. Wherein, D means that the slot is used for downlink transmission; U means that the slot is used for uplink transmission; F means that the slot is used for downlink transmission or uplink transmission which can be determined by the communication device based on scheduling requirements. The DUF information of the gNB of the relay node is used to indicate that when the gNB of the relay node communicates with the UE (for example, the UE accessing the cell of the gNB), the transmission resource of one or more slots of the cell is used for downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or flexible scheduling. For example, if the DUF information of the gNB of the relay node indicates that slot 1 is D, slot 2 is U, and slot 3 is F, it means that slot 1 is used for the gNB of the relay node to perform downlink transmission with the UE accessing the cell of the gNB, that is, the gNB of the relay node transmits data to the UE; slot 2 is used for the gNB of the relay node to perform uplink transmission with the UE accessing the cell of the gNB, that is, the UE transmits data to the gNB of the relay node; and slot 3 is used for downlink transmission or uplink transmission which can be determined by the gNB of the relay node, that is, the gNB of the relay node determines whether slot 3 is used for transmitting data to the UE or receiving data from the UE based on the current scheduling requirement. Optionally, the DUF information of the gNB of the relay node includes the DUF transmission periodicity of the gNB of the relay node and the DUF slot configuration list of the gNB of the relay node.

[0257] The HSNA information (also referred to as H / S / NA information) is used to indicate whether the transmission resource of a time slot or multiple time slots is a hard (H) resource, a soft (S) resource, or a non-available (NA) resource. The HSNA information of the gNB of the relay node is used to indicate whether the transmission resource of one or more time slots of a cell of the gNB of the relay node is a hard resource, a soft resource, or a non-available resource when the gNB of the relay node communicates with a UE accessing the cell of the gNB. Among them, the hard resource means that the gNB of the relay node will strictly work according to the DUF information in this time slot. For example, if the DUF information of time slot 1 is D and the HSNA information of time slot 1 is a hard resource, the gNB of the relay node will send downlink data to the UE (for example, the UE accessing the cell of the gNB of the relay node) in time slot 1, and cannot receive uplink data from the UE. If the duplex mode of the relay node is not to support the gNB of the relay node to send while the MT of the relay node sends or receives, the gNB of the relay node will not avoid the MT of the relay node in time slot 1, that is, the gNB of the relay node will not send downlink data in time slot 1 because the MT of the relay node has the demand of sending or receiving in time slot 1. The soft resource means whether the gNB of the relay node works according to the configuration of the DUF information in this time slot depends on the working mode of the MT of the relay node and the duplex mode of the relay node. For example, if the DUF information of time slot 2 is U and the HSNA information of time slot 2 is a soft resource, and the duplex mode of the relay node is not to support the gNB of the relay node to receive while the MT of the relay node sends or receives, when the host node schedules the MT of the relay node, the gNB of the relay node will avoid the MT of the relay node in time slot 2, that is, the gNB of the relay node will not receive uplink data in time slot 2 because the MT of the relay node has the demand of sending or receiving in time slot 2. Optionally, the HSNA information of the gNB of the relay node includes the HSNA transmission periodicity of the gNB of the relay node, and the HSNA slot configuration list of the gNB of the relay node.

[0258] After the backhaul access node receives the first association relationship from the relay node, the backhaul access node can determine the MT and the gNB constituting the relay node based on the first association relationship. After the backhaul access node receives the resource configuration information of the gNB from the relay node, the backhaul access node can determine the resource configuration of the gNB constituting the relay node in each time domain unit (for example, each time slot) based on the resource configuration information of the gNB, and then the backhaul access node can determine whether to schedule the MT in the foregoing each time domain unit, so that the gNB of the relay node and the MT of the relay node work in different time domain units as much as possible, so as to reduce the probability of interference generated by the relay node.

[0259] In this embodiment, the MT of the relay node can select a cell that meets a preset rule for camping based on at least one of the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node, the operating mode (for example, an in-band operating mode or an out-of-band operating mode) of the relay node, and the preferred frequency information. Compared with the technical solution in the prior art that only selects the cell for the MT to camp according to the signal strength, the probability of the MT camping in a cell with less interference and normal operation can be improved, and thus the communication efficiency of the backhaul link can be improved.

[0260] As shown in FIG. 3, it is a flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application. The communication method can be applied to the signaling interaction between the relay node and the backhaul access node. It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the relay node; the actions of the backhaul access node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the backhaul access node, which are not limited in this embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0261] In step 301, the relay node obtains first configuration information of the relay node.

[0262] The first configuration information includes at least one of the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node, the preferred frequency information of the MT, and the operating mode information of the relay node. For the explanation of the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node, the preferred frequency information of the MT, and the operating mode information of the relay node, please refer to the foregoing step 201, which will not be repeated here.

[0263] It should be noted that in this embodiment, part or all of the content of the first configuration information can be information configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT of the relay node is accessed to the network, or information configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT of the relay node is accessed to the network. In an example, before the MT of the relay node is accessed to the network, the network management device pre-configures the relay node with all the content of the first configuration information. In another example, before the MT of the relay node is accessed to the network, the network management device pre-configures the relay node with part of the content of the first configuration information (for example, the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node); after the MT of the relay node is accessed to the network, the network management device configures the MT of the relay node with another part of the content of the first configuration information (for example, the preferred frequency information of the MT and / or the working mode information of the relay node, etc.). In another example, before the MT of the relay node is accessed to the network, the network management device pre-configures the relay node with part or all of the content of the first configuration information, and after the MT of the relay node is accessed to the network, the network management device can reconfigure the relay node with part or all of the content of the first configuration information. For example, before the MT of the relay node is accessed to the network, the network management device pre-configures the relay node with the preferred frequency information indicating frequency 1 and frequency 2, and after the MT of the relay node is accessed to the network, the network management device can reconfigure the relay node with more suitable preferred frequency information as needed, for example, configure frequency 2 and frequency 3 as the preferred frequencies of the MT. In actual applications, the network management device can flexibly configure the relay node with part or all of the content of the first configuration information in any of the foregoing manners, which will not be described herein.

[0264] It should be noted that before the relay node obtains the first configuration information, or after the relay node obtains the first configuration information, or during the process of the relay node obtaining the first configuration information, the MT of the relay node can select a cell to camp on according to the signal strength of the cell. Optionally, after camping on a certain cell, the MT can also initiate random access to establish an RRC connection with the backhaul access node. Optionally, the MT can also request authorization and establish a PDU session (PDU Session) after the authorization is passed.

[0265] In step 302, the relay node obtains the capability information of the first cell.

[0266] The capability information of the first cell is used to indicate whether the first cell supports serving the relay node, whether the first cell supports serving the relay node in the in-band working mode, whether the first cell supports serving the relay node in the out-of-band working mode, or whether the first cell supports resource coordination.

[0267] In this embodiment, step 302 is similar to step 202 described above, and the specific explanation can be referred to the related description in step 202 described above, which will not be described herein.

[0268] It should be noted that step 302 is an optional step. For example, if the relay node works in the out-band operation mode, since the out-band operation mode does not cause great interference, the MT can work normally even if the MT accesses the traditional base station, and thus the MT can not perform step 302. In the case where the relay node performs step 302, steps 301 and 302 are not limited in time sequence.

[0269] In step 303, the MT of the relay node determines, based on the first configuration information, whether the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is a cell satisfying a preset rule.

[0270] It should be understood that the preset rule that the MT of the relay node can refer to is not completely the same in the case where the first configuration information contains different contents.

[0271] In a possible implementation, in the case where the first configuration information includes the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule includes: the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information. That is, if the network device configures the preferred frequency information of the MT for the relay node, the MT needs to determine whether the frequency of the cell in which the MT currently resides or accesses is the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information. If the frequency of the cell in which the MT currently resides or accesses is the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information, the cell in which the MT currently resides or accesses is the cell satisfying the preset rule; if the frequency of the cell in which the MT currently resides or accesses is not the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information, the cell in which the MT currently resides or accesses is not the cell satisfying the preset rule. For example, the preferred frequency information of the MT indicates frequency 1 and frequency 2, if the frequency of the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is frequency 1 or frequency 2, the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is the cell satisfying the preset rule; if the frequency of the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is another frequency (for example, frequency 3), the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is not the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0272] It should be noted that when the MT also needs to consider other preset rules, the preferred frequency information of the MT can be one of reference factors for determining whether the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is the cell satisfying the preset rule. For example, when the cell in which the MT resides or accesses satisfies other preset rules (for example, a preset rule related to the operation mode information to be introduced later), even if the frequency of the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is not the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information, the cell in which the MT resides or accesses can be the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0273] In this embodiment, the MT of the relay node can determine, based on the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information, whether the cell in which the MT resides or accesses satisfies the preset rule, which is beneficial to reduce the probability that the MT works in the cell corresponding to an inappropriate frequency, and is beneficial to reduce the probability that the MT of the relay node causes resource conflict or frequency interference.

[0274] In another possible implementation, in the case that the first configuration information comprises the working mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following: if the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same working frequency as the gNB; or, if the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different working frequency from the gNB. That is, if the working mode information configured by the network device for the relay node indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, i.e., only the MT and the gNB work at the same frequency, the frequency of the cell in which the MT camps or accesses needs to be the same as the working frequency of the gNB, otherwise, the cell in which the MT camps or accesses is not the cell satisfying the preset rule. If the working mode information configured by the network device for the relay node indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, i.e., only the MT and the gNB work at different frequencies, the frequency of the cell in which the MT camps or accesses needs to be different from the working frequency of the gNB, otherwise, the cell in which the MT camps or accesses is not the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0275] It should be noted that the working frequency of the gNB of the relay node can be determined according to the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node. For example, if the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node indicates that the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 1, and the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the working frequency of the MT of the relay node needs to be the same as the working frequency of the gNB, i.e., the MT needs to work at frequency 1. If the frequency of the cell in which the MT currently camps or accesses is frequency 1, the cell in which the MT camps or accesses is the cell satisfying the preset rule; if the frequency of the cell in which the MT currently camps or accesses is another frequency, the cell in which the MT camps or accesses is not the cell satisfying the preset rule. For another example, if the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node indicates that the working frequency of the gNB is frequency 1, and the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the working frequency of the MT of the relay node needs to be different from the working frequency of the gNB, i.e., the MT cannot work at frequency 1. If the frequency of the cell in which the MT currently camps or accesses is frequency 1, the cell in which the MT camps or accesses is not the cell satisfying the preset rule; if the frequency of the cell in which the MT currently camps or accesses is another frequency, the cell in which the MT camps or accesses is the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0276] It should be noted that, if the network device does not configure the preferred frequency information of the MT for the relay node or the preferred frequency information of the MT configured by the network device is only for reference, the MT of the relay node mainly determines whether the cell accessed by the MT satisfies the preset rule based on the preset rule related to the working mode information introduced in the embodiments.

[0277] It should be further noted that if the network management device is configured with the preferred frequency information of the MT of the relay node, and the preferred frequency information of the MT is a strong constraint, then in the case where the working mode information indicates that only in-band working mode is allowed, the frequency of the cell in which the TM resides or accesses needs to be the same as the working frequency of the gNB, and the frequency of the cell in which the TM resides or accesses is one of the frequencies indicated by the preferred frequency information of the MT; or in the case where the working mode information indicates that only out-of-band working mode is allowed, the frequency of the cell in which the TM resides or accesses needs to be different from the working frequency of the gNB, and the frequency of the cell in which the TM resides or accesses is one of the frequencies indicated by the preferred frequency information of the MT. Otherwise, the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is not a cell that satisfies the preset rule.

[0278] In this embodiment, the MT of the relay node can determine whether the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is a cell that satisfies the preset rule based on the working frequency of the gNB of the relay node and the working mode configured by the network management device, so as to avoid the conflict between the cell in which the MT resides or accesses and the working mode, and reduce the probability that the relay node cannot work normally due to the mode conflict.

[0279] In another possible implementation, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0280] In the case where the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell that satisfies the preset rule is a cell that has the same working frequency as the gNB and supports resource coordination of the relay node; or in the case where the relay node determines to work in the out-of-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the cell that satisfies the preset rule is a cell that has a different working frequency from the gNB and has a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0281] The working mode information can be configured by the network management device, that is, the first configuration information includes the working mode information; or the working mode information can be generated by the relay node itself, that is, the first configuration information does not include the working mode information but the relay node itself generates the working mode information, which is not limited here. In addition, the relay node can not generate the working mode information, but can autonomously decide to use the in-band working mode or the out-of-band working mode.

[0282] For the explanation of the resource coordination, the cell supporting the resource coordination, and the cell with a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value, please refer to the foregoing step 203, which will not be repeated here.

[0283] In this embodiment, if the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, i.e., the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node is the same as the frequency of the cell in which the MT resides or accesses, in order for the backhaul access node to perform resource coordination to reduce interference, the cell in which the MT resides or accesses needs to be a cell supporting resource coordination. For example, the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node is frequency 1, and the frequency of the cell 1 in which the MT resides or accesses is frequency 1. If the cell 1 supports resource coordination, the MT of the relay node determines that the cell 1 in which the MT resides or accesses is a cell satisfying the preset rule; if the cell 1 does not support resource coordination, the MT of the relay node determines that the cell 1 in which the MT resides or accesses is not a cell satisfying the preset rule. In addition, if the relay node works in the out-of-band operation mode, i.e., the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node is different from the frequency of the cell in which the MT resides or accesses. Since the interference caused by the out-of-band operation mode is small (or no interference is caused), the relay node can not use the backhaul access node to perform resource coordination, and thus the signal strength of the cell in which the MT resides or accesses satisfies a preset value.

[0284] It should be noted that if the network management device configures the relay node with the preferred frequency information, the MT needs to consider the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information when judging whether the cell in which the MT resides or accesses satisfies the preset rule. For details, please refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0285] In another possible implementation, when the first configuration information does not include the preferred frequency information of the MT or the preferred frequency information of the MT is only for reference, and the relay node allows two operation modes (i.e., allows the in-band operation mode and the out-of-band operation mode) or is not configured with the operation mode, the cell satisfying the preset rule is related to the operating frequency of the gNB and the cell in which the MT resides or accesses.

[0286] If the frequency of the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is different from the operating frequency of the gNB, i.e., the relay node works in the out-of-band operation mode, the MT determines that the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is a cell satisfying the preset rule. If the frequency of the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB, i.e., the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, and the cell in which the MT resides or accesses supports resource coordination, the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is a cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0287] It can also be understood that, when the relay node allows two operation modes (the operation mode information configured by the network management device indicates that the two operation modes are allowed, or the relay node determines that the two operation modes are allowed) or is not configured with the operation mode, any frequency cell can be a cell satisfying the preset rule. Optionally, any cell with a signal strength satisfying a preset value is a cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0288] It should be noted that the MT of the relay node can also comprehensively consider the plurality of preset rules to determine whether the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is a cell satisfying the preset rules, or can determine whether the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is a cell satisfying the preset rules based on only one of the preset rules, and the embodiment is not limited.

[0289] Optionally, when the MT of the relay node determines that the cell in which the MT resides is not a cell satisfying the preset rules, the MT performs step 304a.

[0290] Optionally, when the MT of the relay node determines that the cell in which the MT accesses is not a cell satisfying the preset rules, the MT performs step 304b.

[0291] Optionally, when the MT of the relay node determines that the cell in which the MT resides or accesses is a cell satisfying the preset rules, and the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, the MT will further perform step 305.

[0292] Step 304a, the MT of the relay node performs cell reselection.

[0293] Optionally, in the cell reselection process, the MT can select a cell satisfying the preset rules based on the first configuration information. For details, refer to the related description in step 203 in the foregoing, which will not be described here.

[0294] Step 304b, the MT of the relay node switches to the idle state and performs cell reselection.

[0295] In a possible implementation, the MT sends a first NAS message to a core network device corresponding to the backhaul access node (i.e., the backhaul access node corresponding to the accessed cell), and the first NAS message is used to request to delete or deactivate a PDU session established by the MT. When the MT does not have any activated PDU session, the MT is released to the idle state (IDLE state).

[0296] In another possible implementation, the MT sends a second NAS message to a core network device corresponding to the backhaul access node (i.e., the backhaul access node corresponding to the accessed cell), and the second NAS message is used to request to detach. Then, the core network device corresponding to the backhaul access node instructs the backhaul access node to release the MT to the idle state (IDLE state).

[0297] Optionally, the core network device corresponding to the backhaul access node can be an AMF network element corresponding to the backhaul access node.

[0298] Optionally, in the cell reselection process, the MT can select a cell satisfying the preset rules based on the first configuration information. For details, refer to the related description in step 203 in the foregoing, which will not be described here.

[0299] Step 305, in the in-band operation mode, the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB to the backhaul access node; correspondingly, the backhaul access node receives the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB from the relay node.

[0300] For example, in the case that the cell accessed by the MT of the relay node satisfies the preset rule and the relay node operates in the in-band operation mode, the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB to the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell accessed by the MT; correspondingly, the backhaul access node receives the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB from the relay node.

[0301] The first association relationship and the resource configuration information of the gNB are explained in the foregoing step 204, which will not be repeated here.

[0302] After receiving the first association relationship from the relay node, the backhaul access node can determine the MT and the gNB constituting the relay node based on the first association relationship. After receiving the resource configuration information of the gNB from the relay node, the backhaul access node can determine the resource configuration of the gNB constituting the relay node in each time domain unit (for example, each time slot) based on the resource configuration information of the gNB, and then the backhaul access node can determine whether to schedule the MT in the foregoing each time domain unit, so that the gNB of the relay node and the MT of the relay node operate in different time domain units as much as possible, so as to reduce the probability of interference generated by the relay node.

[0303] In this embodiment, the MT of the relay node can determine whether the cell accessed or camped by the MT satisfies the preset rule based on at least one of the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node, the operating mode (for example, the in-band operation mode or the out-of-band operation mode) of the relay node and the preferred frequency information, and can perform cell reselection when the cell accessed or camped by the MT does not satisfy the preset rule, so that the MT can be reselected to a cell satisfying the preset rule. Compared with the technical solution that the cell camped by the MT is selected only according to the signal strength in the prior art, the probability that the MT camps on a cell with less interference and can work normally can be improved, and thus the communication efficiency of the backhaul link can be improved.

[0304] As shown in FIG. 4, it is a flowchart of another embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application. The communication method can be applied to the signaling interaction between the relay node and the backhaul access node. It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by the device or module in the relay node, and the actions of the backhaul access node involved in the communication method can also be performed by the device or module in the backhaul access node, which are not limited in this embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication method comprises the following steps:

[0305] At step 401, the relay node acquires first configuration information of the relay node.

[0306] The first configuration information comprises at least one of first frequency information of a gNB of the relay node, preferred frequency information of an MT, working mode information of the relay node, and indication information of the relay node. The first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node, the preferred frequency information of the MT, and the working mode information of the relay node are explained in the foregoing step 201, and are not repeated here.

[0307] The indication information of the relay node is used to indicate a type of the relay node. The type of the relay node can be whether the node is a layer-three functional relay node, or whether the node is a relay node with gNB function and MT function, or whether the node is a WAB node. Optionally, the indication information of the relay node can be represented by 1 bit. For example, the indication information of the relay node is 0, indicating that the node is not a WAB, or is not a layer-three functional relay node, or is not a relay node with gNB function and MT function; the indication information of the relay node is 1, indicating that the node is a WAB, or is a layer-three functional relay node, or is a relay node with gNB function and MT function. Optionally, the indication information of the relay node can also be implemented by a slice identifier. For example, the indication information of the relay node can be a slice identifier associated with a WAB.

[0308] It should be noted that in the embodiment, part or all of the first configuration information can be information configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT of the relay node is put into the network, or information configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT of the relay node is put into the network. Details are described in the foregoing step 301, and are not repeated here.

[0309] It should be noted that before the relay node acquires the first configuration information, or after the relay node acquires the first configuration information, or in the process of the relay node acquiring the first configuration information, the MT of the relay node can select a cell to camp on according to a signal strength of the cell. Optionally, after the MT camps on a certain cell, the MT can also initiate random access to establish an RRC connection with a backhaul access node. Optionally, the MT can also request authorization and establish a PDU session (PDU Session) after the authorization is passed.

[0310] At step 402, the relay node sends the first configuration information to the backhaul access node; correspondingly, the backhaul access node receives the first configuration information from the relay node.

[0311] The backhaul access node is a backhaul access node corresponding to a cell accessed by the MT. The first configuration information is used by the backhaul access node to determine whether the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying a preset rule.

[0312] Specifically, the relay node can send the first configuration information to the backhaul access node of the relay node through any of the following embodiments.

[0313] In a possible embodiment, an Xn connection is established between the gNB of the relay node and the backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the backhaul access node). The gNB of the relay node sends an Xn application protocol (XnAP) message to the backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the backhaul access node), and the XnAP message includes the first configuration information.

[0314] In another possible embodiment, an RRC connection is established between the MT of the relay node and the backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the backhaul access node). The MT of the relay node sends an RRC message to the backhaul access node (e.g., the CU of the backhaul access node), and the RRC message includes the first configuration information. The RRC message can be an RRC connection setup complete (RRC Setup Complete) message (also referred to as msg5) or a UE capability report message. When the first configuration information includes indication information of the relay node (e.g., indicating that the type of the relay node is WAB), it indicates that the terminal establishing or having the RRC connection with the backhaul access node is the MT (e.g., WAB-MT) of the relay node.

[0315] In another possible embodiment, a MAC layer connection is established between the MT of the relay node and the backhaul access node (e.g., the DU of the backhaul access node). The MT of the relay node sends a MAC CE to the backhaul access node (e.g., the DU of the backhaul access node), and the MAC CE includes the first configuration information.

[0316] Optionally, after receiving the first configuration information, the backhaul access node can store the first configuration information, so as to determine whether the cell currently accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying a preset rule based on the first configuration information.

[0317] In a possible embodiment, when the first configuration information includes the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule includes:

[0318] The cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell corresponding to the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information.

[0319] In another possible implementation, in the case that the first configuration information comprises the working mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following:

[0320] If the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell with the same working frequency as the gNB; or if the working mode information indicates that only the out-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell with different working frequency from the gNB.

[0321] In another possible implementation, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following:

[0322] In the case that the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell with the same working frequency as the gNB and supporting resource coordination of the relay node; or in the case that the relay node determines to work in the out-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only the out-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell with different working frequency from the gNB and a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0323] It should be noted that in the case that the first configuration information does not comprise the working mode information of the relay node, and the first configuration information comprises the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node, the backhaul access node can determine, based on the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node and the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT of the relay node, that the relay node works in the in-band working mode or the out-band working mode. Specifically, when the first frequency information of the gNB is the same as the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT, the relay node works in the in-band working mode; when the first frequency information of the gNB is different from the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT, the relay node works in the out-band working mode.

[0324] In a possible implementation, the relay node indicates the working mode by whether to report the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB. Specifically, the relay node reports the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB, to indicate that the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, or to indicate that the working mode of the relay node is only the in-band working mode; the relay node does not report the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB, to indicate that the relay node determines to work in the out-band working mode, or to indicate that the working mode of the relay node is only the out-band working mode or both the in-band and out-band working modes are allowed. For the explanation of the first association relationship and the resource configuration information of the gNB, please refer to the related introduction in the foregoing step 204, which will not be repeated here.

[0325] In a possible implementation, the relay node only performs step 402 and the following steps when it is determined to work in the in-band operation mode. If the relay node works in the out-of-band operation mode, the relay node does not perform step 402 and the following steps. Because the relay node has a greater probability of causing interference only when it works in the in-band operation mode, the MT may need to change the cell.

[0326] For the explanation of the foregoing preset rules, refer to the introduction of the preset rules in step 303.

[0327] In step 403, the backhaul access node determines whether the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rules based on the first configuration information.

[0328] It should be understood that the first configuration information contains different contents, and the preset rules that can be referred to by the backhaul access node are not completely the same.

[0329] In a possible implementation, when the first configuration information includes the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rules include: the cell satisfying the preset rules is a cell corresponding to the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information. If the frequency of the cell currently accessed by the MT is the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information, the cell currently accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rules; if the frequency of the cell currently accessed by the MT is not the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information, the cell currently accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying the preset rules.

[0330] It should be noted that when the backhaul access node also needs to consider other preset rules, the preferred frequency information of the MT can be one of the reference factors for determining whether the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rules. For example, when the cell accessed by the MT satisfies other preset rules (for example, the preset rules related to the operation mode information which will be introduced hereinafter), even if the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT is not the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information, the cell accessed by the MT can be a cell satisfying the preset rules.

[0331] In this embodiment, the backhaul access node can determine whether the cell accessed by the MT satisfies the preset rules based on the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information, which is beneficial to reduce the probability that the MT works in a cell corresponding to an inappropriate frequency, and is beneficial to reduce the probability that the MT of the relay node causes resource conflict or frequency interference.

[0332] In another possible implementation, in the case that the first configuration information comprises the working mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following: if the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same working frequency as the gNB; or, if the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different working frequency from the gNB. The working frequency of the gNB of the relay node can be determined according to the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node. The backhaul access node determines whether the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rule based on the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node, the frequency of the cell currently accessed by the MT, and the working mode information of the relay node.

[0333] Specific examples are similar to the examples of the preset rule related to the working mode information in step 303 above, and thus are not described herein.

[0334] It should be noted that, if the first configuration information does not comprise the preferred frequency information of the MT or the preferred frequency information of the MT is only for reference, the backhaul access node mainly determines whether the cell accessed by the MT satisfies the preset rule based on the preset rule related to the working mode information introduced in the embodiments.

[0335] It should be further noted that, if the first configuration information comprises the preferred frequency information of the MT, and the preferred frequency information of the MT is a strong constraint, in the case that the working mode information indicates that only the in-band working mode is allowed, when the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT is the same as the working frequency of the gNB, and the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT is one of the frequencies indicated by the preferred frequency information of the MT, the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rule. In the case that the working mode information indicates that only the out-of-band working mode is allowed, when the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT is different from the working frequency of the gNB, and the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT is one of the frequencies indicated by the preferred frequency information of the MT, the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rule. Otherwise, the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0336] In the embodiments, the backhaul access node can determine whether the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rule based on the working frequency and the working mode of the gNB of the relay node, so as to avoid the conflict between the cell accessed by the MT and the working mode, and reduce the probability that the relay node cannot work normally due to the mode conflict.

[0337] In another possible implementation, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following:

[0338] In the case that the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, or the operation mode information indicates that only the in-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same operation frequency as the gNB and supporting resource coordination of the relay node; or in the case that the relay node works in the out-band operation mode, or the operation mode information indicates that only the out-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different operation frequency from the gNB and having a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0339] The operation mode information can be configured by the network management device, that is, the first configuration information includes the operation mode information; or the operation mode information can be generated by the relay node itself, that is, the first configuration information does not include the operation mode information but the operation mode information is generated by the relay node itself, and the relay node sends the generated operation mode information to the backhaul access node, which is not limited herein. In addition, even if the backhaul access node does not obtain the operation mode information from the relay node, the backhaul access node can determine the operation mode of the relay node as the in-band operation mode or the out-band operation mode based on the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node and the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT of the relay node.

[0340] The explanation of the resource coordination, the cell supporting the resource coordination, and the cell having a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value is described in the foregoing step 203, which is not repeated herein.

[0341] In the embodiment, in the case that the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, that is, the operation frequency of the gNB of the relay node is the same as the frequency of the cell accessed or camped by the MT, in order to enable the backhaul access node to perform resource coordination to reduce interference, if the cell accessed by the MT is a cell supporting resource coordination, the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rule. In addition, in the case that the relay node works in the out-band operation mode, that is, the operation frequency of the gNB of the relay node is different from the frequency of the cell accessed or camped by the MT. Since the interference caused by the out-band operation mode is small (or no interference is caused), the relay node can not need to perform resource coordination by the backhaul access node, and the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0342] It should be noted that if the first configuration information includes the preferred frequency information, the backhaul access node needs to consider the frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information when determining whether the cell accessed by the MT satisfies the preset rule. The specific implementation is described in the foregoing, which is not repeated herein.

[0343] In another possible implementation, in the case that the operation mode information of the relay node indicates that both the in-band operation mode and the out-band operation mode are allowed or the operation mode is not configured, the cell satisfying the preset rule is related to the operation frequency of the gNB and the cell accessed by the MT.

[0344] If the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT is different from the operating frequency of the gNB, i.e., the relay node operates in the out-band operating mode, the MT determines that the cell accessed by the MT is the cell satisfying the preset rule. If the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB, i.e., the relay node operates in the in-band operating mode, and the cell accessed by the MT supports resource coordination, the cell accessed by the MT is the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0345] It can also be understood that, in the relay node allows two operating modes (the operating mode information configured by the network device indicates that the two operating modes are allowed or the relay node determines that the two operating modes are allowed) or no operating mode is configured, the cell of any frequency can be the cell satisfying the preset rule. Optionally, the cell satisfying the preset value of any signal strength is the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0346] It should be noted that the backhaul access node can also comprehensively consider the plurality of preset rules to determine whether the cell accessed by the MT is the cell satisfying the preset rule, or can determine whether the cell accessed by the MT is the cell satisfying the preset rule based on only one of the preset rules, and the embodiment is not limited.

[0347] Optionally, when the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, the backhaul access node will perform any one of the steps 404a, 404b or 404c.

[0348] Optionally, when the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed or camped by the MT is the cell satisfying the preset rule, the backhaul access node will perform the step 404d.

[0349] Step 404a, the backhaul access node sends a first message to the MT of the relay node; correspondingly, the MT of the relay node receives the first message from the backhaul access node.

[0350] The first message is used to release the RRC connection between the MT and the backhaul access node. Optionally, the first message is an RRC message. For example, the first message is an RRC release (RRC Release) message.

[0351] Optionally, the first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the MT is redirected to the cell satisfying the preset rule. For example, the first indication information is redirection indication information (RRC Release with redirect). For example, the redirection indication information can include a beam, a carrier, a frequency or a cell to which the MT is redirected. After receiving the first message, the MT performs cell reselection, and then accesses the cell satisfying the preset rule after reselecting to the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0352] It is to be noted that the backhaul access node can obtain the capability information of the at least one neighboring cell before sending the first message, and determine the cell for MT redirection based on the capability information of the at least one neighboring cell. In one example, the backhaul access node obtains the capability information of the neighboring cell of the other backhaul access node (or other access node) through an Xn interface. In another example, a network management device (e.g., OAM) configures the backhaul access node with the capability information of the neighboring cell of the other backhaul access node (or other access node).

[0353] Optionally, the capability information of the neighboring cell indicates at least one of the following:

[0354] whether the neighboring cell supports serving a relay node; or whether the neighboring cell supports serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode; or whether the neighboring cell supports serving a relay node in an out-of-band operation mode; or whether the neighboring cell supports resource coordination.

[0355] If the neighboring cell supports serving a relay node, the MT can access the neighboring cell, and the backhaul access node corresponding to the neighboring cell can identify that the MT is a UE part of a relay node rather than a conventional UE. If the neighboring cell does not support serving a relay node, the MT is prohibited from accessing the neighboring cell, or the backhaul access node corresponding to the neighboring cell manages the MT as a conventional UE, or the neighboring cell is a cell of a conventional base station.

[0356] If the neighboring cell supports serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode, when the operating frequency of the MT is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB, the MT is allowed to access the cell, and the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell can determine whether to schedule the MT and when to schedule the MT based on the resource configuration of the gNB, so that the operating time slots of the gNB and the operating time slots of the MT can be staggered. If the neighboring cell does not support serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode, when the operating frequency of the MT is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB, the MT is not allowed to access the cell, or the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell cannot determine whether to schedule the MT and when to schedule the MT based on the resource configuration of the gNB, or the cell is a cell of a conventional base station.

[0357] If the neighboring cell supports serving a relay node in an out-of-band operation mode, when the operating frequency of the MT is different from the operating frequency of the gNB, the MT is allowed to access the cell. If the neighboring cell does not support serving a relay node in an out-of-band operation mode, when the operating frequency of the MT is different from the operating frequency of the gNB, the MT is not allowed to access the cell.

[0358] If the neighboring cell supports resource coordination, the MT is allowed to access the cell when the operating frequency of the MT is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB, and the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell is able to schedule the MT based on the resource configuration decision of the gNB whether to schedule the MT and when to schedule the MT, so that the operating time slot of the gNB and the operating time slot of the MT can be staggered. If the neighboring cell does not support resource coordination, the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell is not able to schedule the MT based on the resource configuration decision of the gNB whether to schedule the MT and when to schedule the MT, or the cell is a cell of a traditional base station.

[0359] For other explanations about the in-band operation mode, the out-of-band operation mode and the resource coordination, please refer to the related descriptions in the embodiments corresponding to FIG. 2. It needs to be noted that in some scenarios, the three of “support serving a relay node”, “support resource coordination” and “support in-band operation mode” can be replaced with each other, or the three of “not support serving a relay node”, “not support resource coordination” and “not support in-band operation mode” can be replaced with each other. In subsequent embodiments, the cell whether supporting resource coordination is mainly taken as an example for description.

[0360] In this embodiment, after determining that the cell accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, the backhaul access node instructs the MT to be redirected to a cell satisfying the preset rule, so as to quickly reselect the MT to the cell satisfying the preset rule. This is not only beneficial to providing the efficiency of cell reselection of the MT, but also beneficial to improving the probability of reselecting the MT to the cell satisfying the preset rule, thereby reducing the resource conflict or interference of the relay node and improving the performance of the relay node.

[0361] In step 404b, the backhaul access node sends a second message to the MT of the relay node; accordingly, the MT of the relay node receives the second message from the backhaul access node.

[0362] The second message is used to indicate that the cell accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying the preset rule. Optionally, the second message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the reason why the cell accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0363] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving a relay node; or the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving a relay node operating in an in-band operation mode; or the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving a relay node operating in an out-of-band operation mode; or the cell accessed by the MT does not support resource coordination.

[0364] In an example, if the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT (i.e., the operating frequency of the MT) is the same as the operating frequency of the gNB, i.e., the relay node operates in the in-band operation mode, but the cell accessed by the MT does not support the relay node serving in the in-band operation mode or the cell accessed by the MT does not support resource coordination. In this case, the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, and then the backhaul access node sends a second message to the MT, and the second indication information in the second message indicates that the backhaul access node does not support the relay node serving in the in-band operation mode or the cell accessed by the MT does not support resource coordination. In another example, if the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT (i.e., the operating frequency of the MT) is different from the operating frequency of the gNB, i.e., the relay node operates in the out-of-band operation mode, but the cell accessed by the MT does not support the relay node serving in the out-of-band operation mode or the cell accessed by the MT does not support the relay node. In this case, the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, and then the backhaul access node sends a second message to the MT, and the second indication information in the second message indicates that the cell accessed by the MT does not support the relay node serving in the out-of-band operation mode or the cell accessed by the MT does not support the relay node.

[0365] Optionally, after receiving the second message, the relay node sends a NAS message to the core network device corresponding to the backhaul access node (i.e., the core network device corresponding to the cell accessed by the MT). The NAS message is used to request to deactivate or delete the protocol data unit (PDU) session established by the MT, or request to detach. In an example, the MT sends a first NAS message to the core network device (e.g., the AMF corresponding to the backhaul access node) corresponding to the backhaul access node, and the first NAS message is used to request to delete or deactivate the PDU session established by the MT. When the MT does not have any activated PDU session, the MT is released to the idle state (IDLE state). In another example, the MT sends a second NAS message to the core network device (e.g., the AMF corresponding to the backhaul access node) corresponding to the backhaul access node, and the second NAS message is used to request to detach. Then, the core network device corresponding to the backhaul access node instructs the backhaul access node to release the MT to the idle state (IDLE state).

[0366] At step 404c, the backhaul access node sends a third message to the MT of the relay node; correspondingly, the MT of the relay node receives the third message from the backhaul access node.

[0367] The third message is used to instruct the MT to switch to the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0368] It should be noted that the backhaul access node can obtain the capability information of the at least one neighboring cell before sending the third message, and determine a cell satisfying the preset rule as the cell to which the MT is to be switched based on the capability information of the at least one neighboring cell. For the explanation of the backhaul access node obtaining the capability information of the at least one neighboring cell and the explanation of the backhaul access node determining the cell satisfying the preset rule, please refer to the related introduction in step 404a, which will not be repeated here.

[0369] In a possible implementation, the third message includes a measurement object configured by the backhaul access node for the MT, and the cell corresponding to the measurement object includes the cell satisfying the preset rule. In an example, the measurement object is frequency information, beam information or physical cell identifier (PCI) information of the neighboring cell satisfying the preset rule, that is, the backhaul access node only configures the frequency of the neighboring cell satisfying the preset rule as the measurement object of the MT. In another example, the measurement object includes information of the neighboring cell satisfying the preset rule and information of other neighboring cells not satisfying the preset rule, and the priority of the information of the neighboring cell satisfying the preset rule is higher than the priority of the information of the other neighboring cells.

[0370] In this embodiment, after receiving the third message, the MT performs measurement reporting based on the measurement object, and then the backhaul access node determines the target cell and instructs the MT to switch to the target cell.

[0371] It should be noted that if the measurement object configured by the backhaul access node includes the frequency of the neighboring cell satisfying the preset rule and other frequencies, the backhaul access node determines the cell satisfying the preset rule as the target cell based on the information reported by the MT.

[0372] In another possible implementation, the third message includes identification information of the cell satisfying the preset rule. After receiving the third message, the MT switches to the cell satisfying the preset rule. This is beneficial to quickly switch the MT to the cell satisfying the preset rule, reduce the switching delay introduced by the measurement reporting of the MT, and improve the efficiency of the switching of the MT.

[0373] In step 404d, the backhaul access node sends a fourth message to the MT of the relay node; correspondingly, the MT of the relay node receives the fourth message from the backhaul access node.

[0374] When the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is the cell satisfying the preset rule, the backhaul access node sends a fourth message to the MT of the relay node; correspondingly, the MT of the relay node receives the fourth message from the backhaul access node. The fourth message is used to indicate that the cell accessed by the MT is the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0375] It should be noted that in this embodiment, step 404d is an optional step. For example, when the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rule, the backhaul access node does not send indication information to the MT, and implicitly indicates that the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rule. That is, if the MT does not receive a message (for example, the first message, the second message, or the third message, etc.) indicating that the cell does not satisfy the preset rule from the backhaul access node after the MT sends the first configuration information to the backhaul access node, the MT determines that the currently accessed cell is a cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0376] Optionally, when the backhaul access node determines that the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying the preset rule, and the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, the relay node will further perform step 405.

[0377] Step 405, in the in-band operation mode, the relay node sends the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB to the backhaul access node corresponding to the cell accessed by the MT; correspondingly, the backhaul access node receives the first association relationship and / or the resource configuration information of the gNB from the relay node.

[0378] For the explanation of the first association relationship and the resource configuration information of the gNB, please refer to the related introduction in step 204 in the foregoing, which will not be repeated here.

[0379] In this embodiment, the MT of the relay node can send the first configuration information to the backhaul access node, and then the backhaul access node can determine whether the cell accessed by the MT satisfies the preset rule based on at least one of the operating frequency of the gNB of the relay node, the operating mode (for example, the in-band operation mode or the out-of-band operation mode) of the relay node, and the preferred frequency information, and can instruct the MT to redirect or handover to a cell satisfying the preset rule when the cell accessed by the MT does not satisfy the preset rule. This is conducive to improving the probability of the MT accessing a cell with less interference and normal operation, and improving the performance of the relay node.

[0380] As shown in FIG. 5, it is a flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application. The communication method can be applied to the signaling interaction between the relay node and the network management device. It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the relay node; the actions of the network management device involved in the communication method can also be performed by a device or module in the network management device, which is not limited in this embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0381] Step 501, the relay node obtains second frequency information of the gNB of the relay node and frequency information of the MT of the relay node.

[0382] The second frequency information of the gNB of the relay node is used to indicate a plurality of frequencies supported by the gNB for use. The plurality of frequencies supported by the gNB for use can be understood as a plurality of frequency points available for use by cells under the gNB. The gNB has a plurality of cells, and each cell is configured with a plurality of frequencies, and the frequencies configured for different cells are not completely the same. The plurality of frequencies supported by the gNB for use is used to determine the frequency finally used by the gNB, that is, the frequency finally used by the gNB is one of the plurality of frequencies indicated by the second frequency information. The frequency finally used by the gNB can also be referred to as the frequency used by the gNB of the relay node, that is, the frequency generated by the gNB to serve the cell of the UE.

[0383] It should be noted that the second frequency information of the gNB of the relay node can be configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT of the relay node is put into the network, or can be configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT is put into the network, and the present application is not limited.

[0384] The frequency information of the MT of the relay node is used to indicate the working frequency expected to be used by the MT or the working frequency currently used by the MT. The working frequency currently used by the MT refers to the frequency of the cell currently camped on or accessed by the MT. The working frequency expected to be used by the MT refers to the frequency of the cell that the MT will have a greater probability to camp on or access in the future. The working frequency expected to be used by the MT can also be referred to as the working frequency supported to be used by the MT or the working frequency preferred by the MT, and the present application is not limited. For example, if the MT camps on or accesses cell 1, the working frequency currently used by the MT is the frequency of cell 1, that is, the frequency information of the MT indicates the frequency of cell 1. If the MT is in a cell search stage, the MT has been configured with a frequency expected to be used (for example, frequency 1), and the MT will have a greater probability to select the cell (for example, cell 2 corresponding to frequency 1) corresponding to the frequency expected to be used to camp, then the frequency information of the MT indicates the frequency of cell 2.

[0385] Optionally, if the frequency information of the MT of the relay node is used to indicate the working frequency currently used by the MT, the frequency information of the MT can be determined by the MT itself. For example, the MT can select to camp on or access a cell according to the signal strength of the cell, and determine the frequency of the cell as the frequency information of the MT. If the frequency information of the MT of the relay node is used to indicate the working frequency expected to be used by the MT, the frequency information of the MT can be configured by the network management device. For example, before the MT is registered, the network management device configures at least one frequency for the MT as the frequency expected to be used by the MT, and the frequency information of the MT indicates the at least one frequency. Optionally, the working frequency expected to be used by the MT can also be the same as the working frequency currently used by the MT. For example, before the MT is registered, the network management device configures frequency 1 for the MT as the frequency expected to be used by the MT, the MT camps on the cell corresponding to the frequency 1, initiates random access, and establishes an RRC connection with the backhaul access node. Optionally, the MT can also request authorization, and establish a PDU session after the authorization is passed. In this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, only the case where the frequency information of the MT of the relay node indicates the working frequency currently used by the MT is described.

[0386] In step 502, the relay node obtains the working mode information of the relay node.

[0387] The working mode information of the relay node is used to indicate whether the relay node allows in-band working mode and / or out-band working mode. For the explanation of the working mode information of the relay node, please refer to the relevant description in step 201, which will not be repeated here.

[0388] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the working mode information of the relay node can be configured by the network management device before the MT is registered, or can be configured by the network management device after the MT is registered, or can be determined by the relay node itself, and the embodiment is not limited.

[0389] It should be noted that step 502 is an optional step. For example, if the network management device can not configure the working mode information for the relay node, or the relay node does not have an expected working mode, the relay node can not perform step 502.

[0390] It should be further noted that when the relay node performs step 502, there is no explicit time sequence between step 501 and step 502. That is, the relay node can first obtain the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT of the relay node, and then obtain the working mode information of the relay node; or first obtain the working mode information of the relay node, and then obtain the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT of the relay node; or simultaneously obtain the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT of the relay node, and the working mode information of the relay node, and the present application does not limit.

[0391] Step 503, the relay node obtains the capability information of the second cell.

[0392] The second cell is a cell corresponding to the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT. The second cell can be a cell currently camped or accessed by the MT, or a cell that the MT has a higher probability of camping or accessing in the future.

[0393] For example, the MT can receive a system broadcast message (such as a system information block (SIB)) of the second cell to obtain the capability information of the second cell. For another example, the gNB of the relay node can obtain the capability information of at least one cell of the backhaul access node through the Xn interface between the backhaul access node and the relay node, and the capability information of the at least one cell includes the capability information of the second cell.

[0394] Optionally, the capability information of the second cell is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0395] Whether the second cell supports serving the relay node; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in the in-band working mode; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in the out-of-band working mode; or whether the second cell supports resource coordination.

[0396] The capability information of the second cell is similar to the capability information of the adjacent cell described above, and details are described above. Here, it is not described again.

[0397] It should be noted that step 503 is an optional step, and the relay node can also not determine based on the capability information of the first cell when determining the working frequency of the gNB that meets the preset rule.

[0398] It should be further noted that when the relay node performs step 503, there is no explicit time sequence between step 501, step 502, and step 503. The present application does not limit the order in which the relay node obtains the foregoing information.

[0399] At step 504, the gNB of the relay node determines the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT.

[0400] The working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is at least one frequency from the multiple frequencies indicated by the second frequency information, and the working frequency satisfying the preset rule is used to determine the working frequency used by the gNB. For example, the gNB of the relay node refers to the working frequency of the MT indicated by the frequency information of the MT, determines at least one frequency from the multiple frequencies indicated by the second frequency information as the frequency satisfying the preset rule, and then determines one frequency from the at least one frequency satisfying the preset rule as the final working frequency (i.e., the working frequency used by the gNB) used by the gNB.

[0401] Further, when determining the frequency satisfying the preset rule, the gNB can refer to the aforementioned working mode information and / or the aforementioned capability information of the second cell. The following will be introduced respectively:

[0402] In a possible implementation, in the case that the gNB of the relay node can obtain the working mode information of the relay node, the gNB of the relay node determines the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT and the working mode information. In this case, the preset rule includes at least one of the following:

[0403] In the case that the working mode information indicates that the relay node only allows the in-band working mode, or the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is the same frequency as the working frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in the case that the working mode information indicates that the relay node only allows the out-of-band working mode, or the relay node determines to work in the out-of-band working mode, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency different from the working frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; in the case that the working mode information indicates that the relay node allows the in-band working mode and the out-of-band working mode, or the relay node is not configured with the working mode, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is any one of the multiple frequencies indicated by the second frequency information.

[0404] The working mode information can be configured by a network management device or generated by the relay node, which is not limited here. In addition, the relay node can also not generate the working mode information, but can autonomously decide to use the in-band working mode or the out-of-band working mode.

[0405] Since the working frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT is determined, the gNB determines at least one frequency from the multiple frequencies indicated by the second frequency information of the gNB as the frequency satisfying the preset rule based on the working mode (the working mode determined by the working mode information or the working mode autonomously decided by the relay node to use). For example, taking the frequency 1 as the frequency of the cell accessed by the MT indicated by the frequency information of the MT, and taking the second frequency information of the gNB indicating that the gNB supports the frequency 1 and the frequency 2 as an example, if the working mode is the out-band working mode, the frequency satisfying the preset rule is the frequency 2; if the working mode is the in-band working mode, the frequency satisfying the preset rule is the frequency 1.

[0406] In the embodiment, in the case where the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT is determined, for example, in the case where the cell accessed by the MT of the relay node is determined, the gNB of the relay node can determine the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT and the working mode information, so that the relay node can work in the working mode configured by the network device (or the working mode expected to be used by the relay node), avoiding the conflict between the cell accessed by the MT and the working mode, and reducing the probability that the relay node cannot work normally due to the conflict of the working mode.

[0407] In another possible embodiment, in the case where the gNB of the relay node acquires the capability information of the second cell, the gNB of the relay node determines the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT and the capability information of the second cell. In this case, the preset rule includes:

[0408] In the case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support resource coordination, or indicates that the relay node serving the in-band working mode is not supported, or indicates that the relay node is not supported, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is the frequency different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in the case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the relay node serving the out-band working mode is not supported, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is the frequency same as the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in the case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell supports resource coordination, or indicates that the relay node serving the in-band working mode is supported, or indicates that the relay node is supported, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is the frequency same as or different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0409] The explanation of not supporting resource coordination, not supporting the relay node serving the in-band working mode and not supporting the relay node can be referred to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0410] For example, the frequency information of the MT indicates that the frequency of the cell 1 accessed by the MT is frequency 1, and the second frequency information of the gNB indicates that the gNB supports the frequency 1 and the frequency 2. If the cell 1 does not support resource coordination, the gNB determines the frequency 2 as the frequency satisfying the preset rule to avoid greater interference when the relay node works in the in-band operation mode. If the cell 1 supports resource coordination and the operation mode information indicates that the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, the gNB determines the frequency 1 as the frequency satisfying the preset rule to ensure that the relay node works in the operation mode configured by the network management device or expected by the relay node. In addition, if the cell 1 does not support the out-of-band operation mode, the gNB determines the frequency 1 as the frequency satisfying the preset rule. If the cell 1 supports the out-of-band operation mode and the operation mode information indicates that the relay node works in the out-of-band operation mode, the gNB determines the frequency 2 as the frequency satisfying the preset rule.

[0411] In the embodiment, when the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT is determined, for example, when the cell accessed by the MT of the relay node is determined, the gNB of the relay node can determine the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule by referring to the capability information of the second cell, which is beneficial to avoid that the MT cannot work normally due to that the cell accessed by the MT does not support the relay node or does not support the operation mode of the relay node, and reduce the probability that the relay node cannot work normally due to the conflict of the operation mode.

[0412] It should be further noted that after receiving the second frequency information of the gNB, the gNB of the relay node can first select a frequency to create a cell of the gNB, and then the gNB determines whether the currently used frequency of the gNB is the frequency satisfying the preset rule based on the preset rule. If the currently used frequency of the gNB is not the frequency satisfying the preset rule, the gNB determines the frequency satisfying the preset rule based on the preset rule and modifies the working frequency of the gNB, and then the relay node performs step 505. If the currently used frequency of the gNB is the frequency satisfying the preset rule, the gNB can directly perform step 505.

[0413] It should be further noted that if the frequency point of the cell under the gNB needs to be replaced, the gNB first opens a new cell with a new frequency point, performs the intra-site handover of the UE under the cell, and then closes the old cell after the UE handover is completed, so as to complete the frequency point replacement of the cell under the gNB.

[0414] In step 505, the relay node sends the working frequency used by the gNB to the network management device, and correspondingly, the network management device receives the working frequency used by the gNB from the relay node.

[0415] The working frequency used by the gNB is one of the working frequencies satisfying the preset rule.

[0416] It should be noted that the gNB of the relay node determines at least one frequency from the plurality of frequencies indicated by the second frequency information as the frequency satisfying the preset rule based on the at least one preset rule. If the gNB of the relay node determines only one frequency satisfying the preset rule, the one frequency satisfying the preset rule is the working frequency (i.e., the working frequency used by the gNB) finally used by the gNB. If the gNB of the relay node determines a plurality of frequencies satisfying the preset rule, the gNB further selects the working frequency (i.e., the working frequency used by the gNB) finally used by the gNB from the frequencies satisfying the preset rule. For example, the gNB randomly determines one frequency from the plurality of frequencies satisfying the preset rule as the working frequency used by the gNB, or the gNB determines one frequency different from the frequency of the neighboring cell from the plurality of frequencies satisfying the preset rule as the working frequency used by the gNB. After the gNB of the relay node determines the working frequency used by the gNB, the MT of the relay node sends the working frequency used by the gNB to the network management device through the session connection between the MT and the network management device.

[0417] In this embodiment, when the network management device configures a plurality of frequencies for the gNB of the relay node, the gNB of the relay node can determine the frequency satisfying the preset rule based on at least one of the frequency information of the MT, the mode information of the relay node, and the second cell, which is beneficial to avoid the MT from being unable to work normally due to the cell accessed by the MT not supporting a specific working mode, and reduce the probability of the relay node being unable to work normally due to the working mode conflict.

[0418] As shown in FIG. 6, this is a flowchart of another embodiment of a communication method provided by the present application. The communication method can be applied to the signaling interaction between the relay node and the network management device. It should be understood that the actions of the relay node involved in the communication method can also be performed by the devices or modules in the relay node, and the actions of the network management device involved in the communication method can also be performed by the devices or modules in the network management device, which are not specifically limited in this embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0419] In step 601, the relay node sends the frequency information of the MT of the relay node to the network management device; correspondingly, the network management device receives the frequency information of the MT from the relay node.

[0420] The frequency information of the MT is used to indicate the working frequency expected to be used by the MT or the working frequency currently used by the MT. For the explanation of the frequency information of the MT, please refer to the related description in step 501 above, which is not described herein.

[0421] In step 602, the relay node sends the working mode information of the relay node to the network management device; correspondingly, the network management device receives the working mode information from the relay node.

[0422] The working mode information of the relay node is used to indicate whether the relay node allows in-band working mode and / or out-band working mode. For the explanation of the working mode information of the relay node, please refer to the relevant description in step 201 in the foregoing embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0423] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the working mode information of the relay node can be configured by the network management device for the relay node before the MT is put into the network, or can be configured by the network management device for the relay node after the MT is put into the network, or can be determined by the relay node itself, and the embodiment is not limited.

[0424] It should be noted that step 602 is an optional step. For example, if the network management device can not configure the working mode information for the relay node, or the relay node does not have an expected working mode, the relay node can not perform step 602. For another example, if the network management device configures the working mode information for the relay node, since the network management device can know the configured working mode of the relay node, the relay node can also not perform step 602. In addition, if the working mode information of the relay node is determined by the relay node, the relay node needs to perform step 602.

[0425] It should be further noted that when the relay node performs step 602, step 601 and step 602 do not have a clear time sequence. In addition, the relay node can send the frequency information and the working mode information of the MT to the network management device through one message, or can send the frequency information and the working mode information of the MT to the network management device through different messages, and the application is not limited.

[0426] In step 603, the relay node sends the capability information of the second cell to the network management device; correspondingly, the network management device receives the capability information of the second cell from the relay node.

[0427] For the explanation of the second cell and the capability information of the second cell, please refer to the relevant description in step 503 in the foregoing embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0428] It should be noted that step 603 is an optional step. For example, the network management device can also not determine the working frequency of the gNB based on the capability information of the first cell when determining the gNB that meets the preset rule subsequently.

[0429] It should be further noted that when the relay node performs step 603, step 601, step 602 and step 603 do not have a clear time sequence. In addition, the relay node can send the frequency information, the working mode information and the capability information of the second cell of the MT to the network management device through one message, or can send the foregoing information through different messages, and the application is not limited.

[0430] At step 604, the network management device determines third frequency information of the gNB of the relay node based on the frequency information of the MT.

[0431] The third frequency information indicates the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule, and the operating frequency satisfying the preset rule is used to determine the operating frequency used by the gNB.

[0432] It should be noted that if the network management device has configured the gNB of the relay node with multiple frequencies supported by the gNB, for example, the second frequency information of the gNB configured by the network management device in the foregoing step 501, the network management device determines at least one frequency from the multiple frequencies indicated by the second frequency information of the gNB as the frequency satisfying the preset rule with reference to the frequency information of the MT. In this case, the network management device does not need the relay node to report the second frequency information of the gNB to the network management device, because the network management device can obtain the second frequency information of the gNB configured for the gNB. In addition, if the network management device does not configure the gNB of the relay node with the frequency supported by the gNB, the network management device only determines at least one frequency satisfying the preset rule with reference to the frequency information of the MT. For the explanation of the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT, please refer to the relevant description in the foregoing step 501, which will not be repeated here.

[0433] Further, if the network management device can obtain the foregoing operating mode information and / or the capability information of the foregoing second cell, the network management device can determine the frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule with reference to the foregoing operating mode information and / or the capability information of the foregoing second cell. The following will be introduced respectively:

[0434] In one possible implementation, in the case where the network management device can obtain the operating mode information of the relay node, the network management device determines the third frequency information of the gNB (i.e., the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule) based on the frequency information of the MT and the operating mode information. In this case, the preset rule includes at least one of the following:

[0435] In the case where the operating mode information indicates that the relay node is only allowed to operate in the in-band operating mode, or the relay node determines to operate in the in-band operating mode, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is the same as the operating frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in the case where the operating mode information indicates that the relay node is only allowed to operate in the out-of-band operating mode, or the relay node determines to operate in the out-of-band operating mode, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is different from the operating frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in the case where the operating mode information indicates that the relay node is allowed to operate in the in-band operating mode and the out-of-band operating mode, or the relay node is not configured with the operating mode, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is any one of the multiple frequencies indicated by the second frequency information.

[0436] The working mode information can be configured by the network management device or generated by the relay node, and is not limited herein. In addition, the relay node can not generate the working mode information, but can autonomously determine whether to use the in-band working mode or the out-of-band working mode.

[0437] For example, if the working mode is the out-of-band working mode, the network management device can determine that the frequency satisfying the preset rule is the frequency 2; if the working mode is the in-band working mode, the network management device can determine that the frequency satisfying the preset rule is the frequency 1.

[0438] In the embodiment, when the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT is determined, for example, when the cell accessed by the MT of the relay node is determined, the network management device can determine the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the frequency information of the MT and the working mode information, so that the relay node can work in the working mode configured by the network management device (or the working mode expected to be used by the relay node), and avoid the conflict between the cell accessed by the MT and the working mode, thereby reducing the probability that the relay node cannot work normally due to the conflict of the working mode.

[0439] In another possible embodiment, when the network management device can obtain the capability information of the second cell, the network management device determines the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the frequency information of the MT and the capability information of the second cell. In this case, the preset rule includes:

[0440] When the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support resource coordination, or does not support serving the relay node working in the in-band working mode, or does not support serving the relay node, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or when the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support serving the relay node working in the out-of-band working mode, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is the same as the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or when the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell supports resource coordination, or supports serving the relay node working in the in-band working mode, or supports serving the relay node, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is the same as or different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0441] The explanations of not supporting resource coordination, not supporting serving the relay node working in the in-band working mode, and not supporting serving the relay node are described above, and are not repeated herein.

[0442] For example, the frequency information of the MT indicates that the frequency of the cell 1 accessed by the MT is frequency 1, if the cell 1 does not support resource coordination, the network management device determines that the frequency 2 is the frequency satisfying the preset rule to avoid larger interference when the relay node works in the in-band operation mode; if the cell 1 supports resource coordination and the operation mode information indicates that the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, the network management device determines that the frequency 1 is the frequency satisfying the preset rule to ensure that the relay node works in the operation mode configured by the network management device or expected by the relay node. In addition, if the cell 1 does not support the out-of-band operation mode, the network management device determines that the frequency 1 is the frequency satisfying the preset rule; if the cell 1 supports the out-of-band operation mode and the operation mode information indicates that the relay node works in the out-of-band operation mode, the network management device determines that the frequency 2 is the frequency satisfying the preset rule.

[0443] In the embodiment, when the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT is determined, for example, when the cell accessed by the MT of the relay node is determined, the network management device can determine the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule by referring to the capability information of the second cell, which is beneficial to avoid that the MT cannot work normally due to that the cell accessed by the MT does not support the relay node or does not support the operation mode of the relay node, and reduce the probability that the relay node cannot work normally due to the conflict of the operation mode.

[0444] In step 605, the network management device sends third frequency information to the relay node; correspondingly, the relay node receives the third frequency information from the network management device.

[0445] It should be noted that if the network management device determines at least one frequency satisfying the preset rule based on the at least one preset rule, the third frequency information received by the relay node indicates the at least one frequency.

[0446] In step 606, the relay node sends the working frequency used by the gNB to the network management device.

[0447] In the embodiment, step 606 is an optional step.

[0448] Optionally, the gNB of the relay node determines the operating frequency used by the gNB based on the third frequency information of the gNB, and the operating frequency used by the gNB is one of the operating frequencies satisfying the preset rule indicated by the third frequency information. If the third frequency information only indicates one frequency, the one frequency satisfying the preset rule is the operating frequency finally used by the gNB (i.e., the operating frequency used by the gNB); if the third frequency information indicates multiple frequencies satisfying the preset rule, the gNB further selects the operating frequency finally used by the gNB (i.e., the operating frequency used by the gNB) from the frequencies satisfying the preset rule. For example, the gNB randomly determines one frequency from the multiple frequencies satisfying the preset rule as the operating frequency used by the gNB, or the gNB determines one frequency different from the frequency of the neighboring cell from the multiple frequencies satisfying the preset rule as the operating frequency used by the gNB.

[0449] In this embodiment, the gNB of the relay node can send at least one of the frequency information of the MT, the operating mode information, and the capability information of the second cell to the network management device, and the network management device determines the frequency satisfying the preset rule based on the foregoing information, and further determines the operating frequency used by the gNB. Since the network management device considers the operating frequency of the MT, the capability of the cell accessed by the MT, and the operating mode of the relay node when determining the frequency satisfying the preset rule, it is beneficial to avoid the cell accessed by the MT not supporting a specific operating mode, so that the MT cannot work normally, and reduce the probability that the relay node cannot work normally due to the operating mode conflict.

[0450] It should be noted that under the O-RAN architecture, the functions of the network management device in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 6 can be implemented by an access network control device, that is, the "network management device" in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 6 can be replaced by an "access network control device". The access network control device can be a controller that controls the access network devices (e.g., CUs and / or DUs) in the access network. For example, the access network control device can be a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC).

[0451] Exemplarily, in the corresponding embodiments of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the RIC can configure the first configuration information for the relay node, the first configuration information including at least one of the first frequency information of the gNB of the relay node, the preferred frequency information of the MT, and the working mode information of the relay node. For example, the RIC can pre-configure the first configuration information for the relay node before the MT is registered, and the RIC can also configure the first configuration information for the relay node through the E2 message after the MT is registered. For example, the RIC can send the E2 message including the first configuration information to the WAB-gNB-CU or the WAB-gNB-DU. The implementation of the E2 message is similar to the Xn interface, and also needs to pass through the PDU session of the MT, and the RIC communicates with the MT through the UPF of the MT, so as to interact with the WAB-gNB through the E2 message.

[0452] Exemplarily, in the corresponding embodiments of FIG. 4, the relay node can send the first configuration information to the RIC through the E2 message, and then the RIC determines whether the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying a preset rule based on the first configuration information, and returns the corresponding E2 message (for example, the first message, the second message, the third message, or the fourth message, etc.) to the relay node based on the judgment result of the RIC.

[0453] Exemplarily, in the corresponding embodiments of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the relay node can send the working frequency used by the gNB to the RIC through the E2 message. In the corresponding embodiments of FIG. 6, the relay node can send the frequency information of the MT, the working mode information of the relay node, and the capability information of the second cell, etc. to the RIC through the E2 message, and the RIC can also send the third frequency information of the gNB of the relay node to the relay node through the E2 message after determining the third frequency information of the gNB of the relay node based on the frequency information of the MT, etc.

[0454] As shown in FIG. 7, a structure schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 70 provided in the embodiment is shown. The relay node in the method embodiments of the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, or FIG. 6 can be based on the structure of the communication apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 7 in the embodiment. Alternatively, the backhaul access node in the method embodiments of the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, or FIG. 6 can also be based on the structure of the communication apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 7 in the embodiment.

[0455] The communication apparatus 70 includes at least one processor 701, at least one transceiver 702, and one or more antennas 703. The processor 701 is connected with the transceiver 702 through a connection apparatus, and the antenna 703 is connected with the transceiver 702. Wherein, the foregoing connection apparatus can include various interfaces, transmission lines, or buses, etc., which are not limited in the embodiment.

[0456] When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a relay node (e.g., a layer three relay node), the transceiver 702 can be configured to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the communication apparatus 70 and a terminal device, and can also be configured to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the communication apparatus 70 and a backhaul access node. When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a backhaul access node (e.g., a backhaul access node of a layer three relay node), the transceiver 702 can be configured to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the communication apparatus 70 and a relay node (e.g., a WAB-MT). The transceiver 702 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 703 can receive radio frequency signals, and the receiver Rx of the transceiver 702 can be configured to receive the radio frequency signals from the antennas 703 and forward the radio frequency signals after amplification processing. When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a layer three relay node (e.g., a WAB), the transceiver 702 can also be configured to convert the received radio frequency signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, and provide the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals to the processor 701, so that the processor 701 can further process the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, such as demodulation processing and decoding processing. In addition, the transmitter Tx in the transceiver 702 can also be configured to receive modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals from the processor 701, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals into radio frequency signals, and transmit the radio frequency signals through one or more antennas 703.

[0457] In addition, the aforementioned processor 701 is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication apparatus 70, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs, such as for supporting the communication apparatus 70 to perform the actions described in the foregoing embodiments. When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a MT of a relay node, the processor 701 can establish an RRC connection or a MAC connection with a backhaul access node according to the protocol stack of a terminal device. When the communication apparatus 70 is configured to implement the function of a gNB of a relay node, or the function of a backhaul access node, the processor 701 further includes a baseband processor and a central processor, wherein the baseband processor is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processor is mainly configured to control the entire communication apparatus 70, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs. The processor 701 in FIG. 7 can integrate the functions of the baseband processor and the central processor, and those skilled in the art can understand that the baseband processor and the central processor can also be independent processors interconnected by a bus or the like. The communication apparatus 70 can include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and the communication apparatus 70 can include multiple central processors to enhance its processing capability. The various components of the communication apparatus 70 can be connected by various buses.

[0458] Optionally, the communication apparatus 70 further comprises at least one memory 704. The memory 704 is mainly configured to store software programs and data. The memory 704 can exist independently, and be connected with the processor 701. Alternatively, the memory 704 can be integrated with the processor 701, for example, integrated in one or more chips. The memory 704 is capable of storing program codes for executing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 701. The executed computer programs of various types can also be regarded as the drivers of the processor 701. It should be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, FIG. 7 only shows one memory and one processor, but in actual applications, the communication apparatus 70 can have multiple processors or multiple memories, which are not limited here. In addition, the memory 704 can also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory 704 can be a storage element on the same chip as the processor (i.e. an on-chip storage element), or an independent storage element, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0459] Optionally, the communication apparatus 70 further comprises at least one network interface 705. The network interface 705 is configured to enable the communication apparatus 70 to be connected with other communication apparatuses through a communication link. Specifically, the network interface 705 can include a network interface between the communication apparatus 70 and a core network element, for example, an NG interface; the network interface 705 can also include a network interface between the communication apparatus 70 and other network devices (for example, other backhaul access nodes or core network elements), for example, an X2 or Xn interface.

[0460] In one design, the communication apparatus 70 is configured to perform the method of the relay node in the corresponding embodiments of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. The processor 701 is configured to obtain first configuration information of the relay node; determine, based on the first configuration information, a cell satisfying a preset rule, the cell satisfying the preset rule being used to determine a camping cell of a mobile terminal unit MT of the relay node; or determine, based on the first configuration information, whether a cell in which the MT camps or accesses is a cell satisfying the preset rule; wherein the first configuration information comprises at least one of: first frequency information of a base station unit gNB of the relay node, the first frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency of the gNB; or preferred frequency information of the MT, the preferred frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT; or operating mode information of the relay node, the operating mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band operating mode and / or an out-of-band operating mode, the in-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, and the out-of-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies.

[0461] In one possible implementation, in the case where the first configuration information comprises the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule comprises:

[0462] The cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information.

[0463] In a possible implementation, when the first configuration information comprises the working mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following:

[0464] If the working mode information indicates that only an in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same working frequency as the gNB; or if the working mode information indicates that only an out-of-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different working frequency from the gNB.

[0465] In a possible implementation, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following:

[0466] In a case where the relay node determines to work in an in-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only an in-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same working frequency as the gNB and supporting resource coordination of the relay node; or in a case where the relay node determines to work in an out-of-band working mode, or the working mode information indicates that only an out-of-band working mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different working frequency from the gNB and having a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0467] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to, in a case where it is determined to work in an in-band working mode, send, to a backhaul access node corresponding to a cell accessed by the MT, first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the gNB, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to a same relay node.

[0468] In a possible implementation, the processor 701 is further configured to, in a case where it is determined, based on the first configuration information, that a cell in which the MT resides is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, perform cell reselection; or in a case where it is determined, based on the first configuration information, that a cell accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, switch to an idle state and perform cell reselection.

[0469] In another design, the communication device 70 is configured to perform the method of the relay node in the foregoing embodiment corresponding to FIG. 4. Specifically, the processor 701 is configured to acquire first configuration information of the relay node; and the transceiver 702 is configured to send the first configuration information to a backhaul access node corresponding to a cell accessed by a mobile terminal unit MT of the relay node, the first configuration information being used by the backhaul access node to determine whether the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying a preset rule; wherein the first configuration information comprises at least one of the following: first frequency information of a base station unit gNB of the relay node, the first frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency of the gNB; or, preferred frequency information of the MT, the preferred frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT; or, operating mode information of the relay node, the operating mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band operating mode and / or an out-of-band operating mode, the in-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, and the out-of-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies; or, indication information of the relay node, the indication information being used to indicate a type of the relay node.

[0470] The preset rule is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0471] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is further configured to, in a case where the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, receive a first message from the backhaul access node, the first message being used to release an RRC connection between the MT and the backhaul access node.

[0472] Optionally, the first message comprises first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the MT is redirected to the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0473] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to, in a case where the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, receive a second message from the backhaul access node, the second message being used to indicate that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0474] Optionally, the second message comprises second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a reason why the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0475] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0476] The cell accessed by the MT does not support serving the relay node; or, the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving the relay node in the in-band operating mode; or, the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving the relay node in the out-of-band operating mode; or, the cell accessed by the MT does not support resource coordination.

[0477] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to receive a third message from the backhaul access node, in a case that the cell accessed by the MT does not satisfy the preset rule, the third message being used for instructing the MT to switch to a cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0478] Optionally, the third message comprises a measurement object configured by the backhaul access node for the MT, and a cell corresponding to the measurement object comprises the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0479] In another design, the communication apparatus 70 is configured to perform the method of the relay node in the foregoing embodiment corresponding to FIG. 5. Specifically, the processor 701 is configured to acquire second frequency information of a base station unit gNB of the relay node and frequency information of a mobile terminal unit MT of the relay node, the second frequency information of the gNB being used for indicating a plurality of frequencies supported by the gNB, and the frequency information of the MT being used for indicating an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT or an operating frequency currently used by the MT; and determine, based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT, an operating frequency of the gNB satisfying a preset rule, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule being at least one of the plurality of frequencies indicated by the second frequency information, and the operating frequency satisfying the preset rule being used for determining the operating frequency used by the gNB.

[0480] In a possible implementation, the processor 701 is configured to acquire working mode information of the relay node, the working mode information being used for indicating whether the relay node allows an in-band working mode and / or an out-of-band working mode, the in-band working mode being used for indicating that the MT and the gNB work at the same frequency, and the out-of-band working mode being used for indicating that the MT and the gNB work at different frequencies; and determine, based on the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT, and the working mode information, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule.

[0481] In a possible implementation, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following:

[0482] In a case that the working mode information is used for indicating that the relay node only allows the in-band working mode, or the relay node determines to work in the in-band working mode, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency same as the operating frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in a case that the working mode information is used for indicating that the relay node only allows the out-of-band working mode, or the relay node determines to work in the out-of-band working mode, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency different from the operating frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0483] In a possible implementation, the processor 701 is specifically configured to determine, in a case that the operating frequency currently used by the gNB does not satisfy the preset rule, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT.

[0484] In a possible implementation, the processor 701 is further configured to acquire capability information of a second cell, the second cell being a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; and determine the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT, and the capability information of the second cell.

[0485] The capability information of the second cell is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second cell supports serving a relay node; or whether the second cell supports serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports serving a relay node in an out-of-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports resource coordination.

[0486] In a possible implementation, the preset rule comprises: in a case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support resource coordination, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving a relay node, the working frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0487] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to send, to the network management device, the working frequency used by the gNB, the working frequency used by the gNB being one of the working frequencies satisfying the preset rule.

[0488] In another design, the communication apparatus 70 is configured to perform the method of the relay node in the foregoing embodiment corresponding to FIG. 6. Specifically, the transceiver 702 is configured to send, to the network management device, frequency information of a mobile terminal unit MT of the relay node, the frequency information of the MT being used to indicate a working frequency expected to be used by the MT or a working frequency currently used by the MT; and receive, from the network management device, third frequency information of a baseband unit gNB of the relay node, the third frequency information indicating working frequencies of the gNB satisfying a preset rule, the working frequencies satisfying the preset rule being used to determine a working frequency used by the gNB.

[0489] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is further configured to send, to the network management device, operation mode information of the relay node, the operation mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band operation mode and / or an out-of-band operation mode, the in-band operation mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at the same frequency, and the out-of-band operation mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at different frequencies.

[0490] In a possible implementation, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following:

[0491] In a case that the relay node determines to work in the in-band operation mode, or the operation mode information indicates that only the in-band operation mode is allowed, the operation frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is the same frequency as the operation frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in a case that the relay node determines to work in the out-band operation mode, or the operation mode information indicates that only the out-band operation mode is allowed, the operation frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency different from the operation frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0492] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is further configured to send, to the network management device, capability information of a second cell, the second cell being a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0493] The capability information of the second cell is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second cell supports serving the relay node; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node working in the in-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node working in the out-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports resource coordination.

[0494] In a possible implementation, the preset rule comprises: in a case that the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support resource coordination, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving the relay node working in the in-band operation mode, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving the relay node, the operation frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0495] In a possible implementation, the processor 701 is configured to determine, based on the third frequency information of the gNB, an operation frequency used by the gNB, the operation frequency used by the gNB being one of the operation frequencies satisfying the preset rule indicated by the third frequency information; and the transceiver 702 is configured to send, to the network management device, the operation frequency used by the gNB.

[0496] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the embodiments can refer to the method of the relay node in the above embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0497] In another design, the communication apparatus 70 is configured to perform the method of the backhaul access node in the above embodiment corresponding to FIG. 4. The transceiver 702 is configured to receive, from the relay node, first configuration information of a mobile terminal unit MT; and the processor 701 is configured to determine, based on the first configuration information, whether a cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying a preset rule.

[0498] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: first frequency information of a base station unit gNB of the relay node, the first frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency of the gNB; or preferred frequency information of the MT, the preferred frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT; or operating mode information of the relay node, the operating mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node supports whether to allow an in-band operating mode and / or an out-of-band operating mode, the in-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, and the out-of-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies; or indication information of the relay node, used to indicate a type of the relay node.

[0499] In a possible implementation, when the first configuration information includes the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule includes:

[0500] The cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information.

[0501] In a possible implementation, when the first configuration information includes the operating mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0502] If the operating mode information indicates that only the in-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell at the same operating frequency as the gNB; or if the operating mode information indicates that only the out-of-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell at a different operating frequency from the gNB.

[0503] In a possible implementation, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0504] When the operating mode information indicates that only the in-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell at the same operating frequency as the gNB and supporting resource coordination of the relay node; or when the operating mode information indicates that only the out-of-band operating mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell at a different operating frequency from the gNB and having a signal strength greater than or equal to a preset value.

[0505] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to receive, in a case where the relay node operates in the in-band operating mode, the first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the gNB from the relay node, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to the same relay node.

[0506] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to, in a case where it is determined that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, send a first message to the MT, the first message being used to release an RRC connection between the MT and the backhaul access node.

[0507] Optionally, the first message comprises first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the MT is redirected to the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0508] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to, in a case where it is determined that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, send a second message to the MT, where the second message is used to indicate that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0509] Optionally, the second message comprises second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a reason why the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0510] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0511] The cell accessed by the MT does not support serving a relay node; or the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode; or the cell accessed by the MT does not support serving a relay node in an out-of-band operation mode; or the cell accessed by the MT does not support resource coordination.

[0512] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to, in a case where it is determined that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, send a fourth message to the MT, where the fourth message is used to instruct the MT to switch to the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0513] Optionally, the fourth message comprises a measurement object configured by the backhaul access node for the MT, and a cell corresponding to the measurement object comprises the cell satisfying the preset rule.

[0514] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 702 is configured to acquire capability information of at least one neighboring cell, and the capability information of the neighboring cell is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0515] Whether the neighboring cell supports serving a relay node; or whether the neighboring cell supports serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode; or whether the neighboring cell supports serving a relay node in an out-of-band operation mode; or whether the neighboring cell supports resource coordination.

[0516] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the embodiment can refer to the method of the backhaul access node in the above embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0517] As shown in FIG. 8, a structure diagram of a communication device 80 is provided. The network management device in the method embodiments of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 can be based on the structure of the communication device 80 shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 80 can include a processor 801, a memory 803 and a communication interface 802. The processor 801 is coupled to the memory 803, and the processor 801 is coupled to the communication interface 802.

[0518] The communication interface 802 is connected to other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the communication interface 802 can include a network interface between a backhaul access node (for example, the communication device 80 shown in FIG. 8), such as an S1 interface.

[0519] The processor 801 can be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL) or any combination thereof. The processor 801 can refer to one processor or can include multiple processors, which is not limited here.

[0520] In addition, the aforementioned memory 803 is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The memory 803 can exist independently and be connected to the processor 801. Alternatively, the memory 803 can be integrated with the processor 801, for example, integrated in one or more chips. The memory 803 can store program codes for implementing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application and be controlled to execute by the processor 801. The executed computer programs of various types can also be regarded as the drivers of the processor 801. The memory 803 can include volatile memory (volatile memory), such as random access memory (random-access memory, RAM); the memory can also include non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM), flash memory (flash memory), hard disk drive (hard disk drive, HDD) or solid-state drive (solid-state drive, SSD); the memory 803 can also include a combination of the above types of memories. The memory 803 can refer to one memory, or can include multiple memories. For example, the memory 803 is used to store various data.

[0521] In one design, the communication device 80 is configured to perform the method of the network management device in the aforementioned embodiments of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6. For example, the communication interface 802 is configured to receive frequency information of a mobile terminal unit MT from a relay node, the frequency information of the MT being used to indicate an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT or an operating frequency currently used by the MT; the processor 801 is configured to determine third frequency information of a baseband unit gNB of the relay node based on the frequency information of the MT, the third frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency of the gNB satisfying a preset rule, the operating frequency satisfying the preset rule being used to determine an operating frequency used by the gNB; and the communication interface 802 is configured to send the third frequency information to the relay node.

[0522] In one possible implementation, the processor 801 is specifically configured to determine the third frequency information of the gNB based on the frequency information of the MT and operating mode information; wherein the operating mode information is used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band operating mode and / or an out-of-band operating mode, the in-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, and the out-of-band operating mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies.

[0523] In one possible implementation, the preset rule further includes at least one of the following:

[0524] In a case where the operation mode information indicates that only the in-band operation mode is allowed, the operation frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is the same frequency as the operation frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in a case where the operation mode information indicates that only the out-of-band operation mode is allowed, the operation frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency different from the operation frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0525] In a possible implementation, the communication interface 802 is configured to receive capability information of a second cell from the relay node, and determine third frequency information based on the frequency information of the MT and the capability information of the second cell, the second cell being a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; the capability information of the second cell is configured to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second cell supports serving the relay node; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports serving the relay node in the out-of-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports resource coordination.

[0526] In a possible implementation, the preset rule comprises: in a case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support resource coordination, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving the relay node in the in-band operation mode, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving the relay node, the operation frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

[0527] In a possible implementation, the communication interface 802 is configured to receive an operation frequency used by the gNB from the relay node, the operation frequency used by the gNB being one of the operation frequencies satisfying the preset rule indicated by the third frequency information.

[0528] It should be noted that the specific implementation and advantages of the embodiments can refer to the method of the network management device in the above embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0529] As shown in FIG. 9, the present application further provides a communication apparatus 90. The communication apparatus 90 can be a relay node, a backhaul access node or a network management device, or a component (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.) of the relay node, the backhaul access node or the network management device. The communication apparatus 90 can also be other communication modules for implementing the method in the method embodiments of the present application.

[0530] The communication apparatus 90 can include a processing module 901 (or a processing unit). Optionally, it can also include an interface module 902 (or a transceiver unit or a transceiver module) and a storage module 903 (or a storage unit). The interface module 902 is configured to realize communication with other devices. The interface module 902 can be, for example, a transceiver module or an input / output module.

[0531] In a possible design, one or more modules in FIG. 9 can be implemented by one or more processors, or by one or more processors and memories; or by one or more processors and transceivers; or by one or more processors, memories and transceivers, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. The processor, memory, transceiver can be separately arranged, or integrated.

[0532] The communication apparatus 90 is provided with the function of the backhaul access node described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the communication apparatus 90 includes modules or units or means corresponding to the steps involved in the backhaul access node described in the embodiments of the present application, which are executed by the backhaul access node. The functions or units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software, or by a combination of software and hardware. For details, further reference can be made to the corresponding description in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, further reference can be made to the communication apparatus 70 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0533] Alternatively, the communication apparatus 90 is provided with the function of the relay node described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the communication apparatus 90 includes modules or units or means corresponding to the steps involved in the relay node described in the embodiments of the present application, which are executed by the relay node. The functions or units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software, or by a combination of software and hardware. For details, further reference can be made to the corresponding description in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, further reference can be made to the communication apparatus 70 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0534] Alternatively, the communication apparatus 90 is provided with the function of the network management device described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the communication apparatus 90 includes modules or units or means corresponding to the steps involved in the network management device described in the embodiments of the present application, which are executed by the network management device. The functions or units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software, or by a combination of software and hardware. For details, further reference can be made to the corresponding description in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, further reference can be made to the communication apparatus 80 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 8.

[0535] Further, the present application provides a computer program product including one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. For example, the method related to the backhaul access node in the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is implemented. For another example, the method related to the relay node in the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is implemented. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through wired (for example, coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (for example, infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be used by the computer or data storage device such as server, data center, etc. containing one or more available media sets. The available medium can be magnetic medium (for example, floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), optical medium (for example, digital versatile disc (DVD)) or semiconductor medium (for example, solid state disk (SSD)) and the like.

[0536] Further, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, which is executed by a processor to implement the method related to the backhaul access node in the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0537] Further, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, which is executed by a processor to implement the method related to the relay node in the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0538] Further, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, which is executed by a processor to implement the method related to the network management device in the foregoing FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0539] It should be understood that the size of the sequence number of the above-mentioned processes in various embodiments of the present application does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to their functions and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0540] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the system, the device and the unit described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be described here again.

Claims

1. A communication method performed by a relay node or a chip in a relay node, characterized by, The method comprises: obtaining first configuration information of the relay node; determining a cell satisfying a preset rule based on the first configuration information, the cell satisfying the preset rule being used to determine a camping cell of a mobile terminal unit (MT) of the relay node; or, determining whether a cell in which the MT camps or accesses is a cell satisfying a preset rule based on the first configuration information; wherein the first configuration information comprises at least one of the following: first frequency information of a base station unit (gNB) of the relay node, the first frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency of the gNB; or, preferred frequency information of the MT, the preferred frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT; or, operation mode information of the relay node, the operation mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band operation mode and / or an out-of-band operation mode, the in-band operation mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, and the out-of-band operation mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, In a case where the first configuration information comprises the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule comprises: the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In a case where the first configuration information comprises the operation mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following: if the operation mode information indicates that only the in-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same operating frequency as the gNB; or, if the operation mode information indicates that only the out-of-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different operating frequency from the gNB.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The preset rule further comprises at least one of the following: in a case where the relay node determines to operate in the in-band operation mode, or the operation mode information indicates that only the in-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same operating frequency as the gNB and supporting resource coordination of the relay node; or, in a case where the relay node determines to operate in the out-of-band operation mode, or the operation mode information indicates that only the out-of-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different operating frequency from the gNB.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: in a case where the relay node determines to operate in the in-band operation mode, sending, to a backhaul access node corresponding to a cell in which the MT accesses, first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the gNB, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to the same relay node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: in a case where it is determined based on the first configuration information that the cell in which the MT camps is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, performing, by the MT, cell reselection; or, in a case where it is determined based on the first configuration information that the cell in which the MT accesses is not a cell satisfying the preset rule, switching, by the MT, to an idle state and performing cell reselection.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving a system broadcast message from a backhaul access node, the system broadcast message comprising capability information of at least one cell; the capability information of the cell is used to indicate at least one of: whether the cell supports serving a relay node; or, whether the cell supports serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode; or, whether the cell supports serving a relay node in an out-band operation mode; or, whether the cell supports resource coordination.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, the method further comprises: receiving a system broadcast message from a backhaul access node, the system broadcast message comprising capability information of at least one cell; in a case that the system broadcast message carries the capability information of the cell, indicating that the cell supports serving a relay node, serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode, serving a relay node in an out-band operation mode, or resource coordination; in a case that the system broadcast message does not carry the capability information of the cell, indicating that the cell does not support serving a relay node, serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode, serving a relay node in an out-band operation mode, or resource coordination.

9. A communication method performed by a relay node or a chip in a relay node, the method comprising: comprises: obtaining first configuration information of the relay node; sending the first configuration information to a backhaul access node corresponding to a cell accessed by a mobile terminal unit (MT) of the relay node, the first configuration information being used by the backhaul access node to determine whether the cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying a preset rule; wherein the first configuration information comprises at least one of: first frequency information of a base station unit (gNB) of the relay node, the first frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency of the gNB; or, preferred frequency information of the MT, the preferred frequency information being used to indicate an operating frequency desired to be used by the MT; or, operation mode information of the relay node, the operation mode information being used to indicate whether the relay node allows an in-band operation mode and / or an out-band operation mode, the in-band operation mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, and the out-band operation mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies; or, indication information of the relay node, the indication information being used to indicate a type of the relay node.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, in a case that the first configuration information comprises the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule comprises: the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, in a case that the first configuration information comprises the operation mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further comprises at least one of: if the operation mode information indicates that only the in-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having the same operating frequency as the gNB; or, if the operation mode information indicates that only the out-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell having a different operating frequency from the gNB.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, the preset rule further comprises at least one of: In a case that the relay node determines to work in an in-band operation mode, or the operation mode information indicates that only the in-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell that has a same operation frequency as the gNB and supports resource coordination of the relay node; or In a case that the relay node determines to work in an out-band operation mode, or the operation mode information indicates that only the out-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell that has a different operation frequency from the gNB.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further comprises: In a case that the relay node determines to work in the in-band operation mode, sending, to a backhaul access node corresponding to a cell accessed by the MT, first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the gNB, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to a same relay node.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, The method further comprises: In a case that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, receiving a first message from the backhaul access node, the first message being used to release RRC connection between the MT and the backhaul access node.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, The method further comprises: In a case that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, receiving a third message from the backhaul access node, the third message being used to instruct the MT to switch to the cell satisfying the preset rule. 16.A communication method, performed by a backhaul access node or a chip in the backhaul access node, the method comprising: Comprise: receiving first configuration information of a mobile terminal unit (MT) from a relay node; determining whether a cell accessed by the MT is a cell satisfying a preset rule based on the first configuration information; The first configuration information comprises at least one of the following: first frequency information of a base station unit (gNB) of the relay node, the first frequency information being used to indicate an operation frequency of the gNB; or preferred frequency information of the MT, the preferred frequency information being used to indicate an operation frequency expected to be used by the MT; or operation mode information of the relay node, the operation mode information being used to indicate whether an in-band operation mode and / or an out-band operation mode is allowed by the relay node, the in-band operation mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at a same frequency, and the out-band operation mode being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB work at different frequencies; or indication information of the relay node, the indication information being used to indicate a type of the relay node.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, In a case that the first configuration information comprises the preferred frequency information of the MT, the preset rule comprises: the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell corresponding to a frequency indicated by the preferred frequency information.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that In a case that the first configuration information comprises the operation mode information of the relay node, the preset rule further comprises at least one of the following: if the operation mode information indicates that only the in-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell that has a same operation frequency as the gNB; or if the operation mode information indicates that only the out-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell that has a different operation frequency from the gNB.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The preset rule further comprises at least one of the following: In a case that the relay node works in an in-band operation mode, or in a case that the operation mode information indicates that only the in-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell which has a same operation frequency as the gNB and supports resource coordination of a relay node. In a case that the relay node works in an out-band operation mode, or in a case that the operation mode information indicates that only the out-band operation mode is allowed, the cell satisfying the preset rule is a cell which has a different operation frequency from the gNB.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The method further comprises: In a case that the relay node works in the in-band operation mode, receiving, from the relay node, first association relationship and / or resource configuration information of the gNB, the first association relationship being used to indicate that the MT and the gNB belong to a same relay node.

21. The method of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein, The method further comprises: In a case that the backhaul access node supports serving a relay node, sending a system broadcast message, the system broadcast message comprising first capability information of a first cell, the first cell being a cell accessed by the MT; the first capability information of the first cell being used to indicate at least one of the following: the first cell supports serving a relay node; or, the first cell supports serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode; or, the first cell supports serving a relay node in an out-band operation mode; or, the first cell supports resource coordination. Or, In a case that the backhaul access node does not support serving a relay node, sending a system broadcast message, the system broadcast message comprising second capability information of the first cell; the second capability information of the first cell being used to indicate at least one of the following: the first cell does not support serving a relay node; or, the first cell does not support serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode; or, the first cell does not support serving a relay node in an out-band operation mode; or, the first cell does not support resource coordination.

22. The method of any one of claims 16-20, wherein, The method further comprises: In a case that the backhaul access node supports serving a relay node, sending a system broadcast message, the system broadcast message comprising capability information of at least one cell; the system broadcast message carrying the capability information of a first cell, the capability information of the first cell being used to indicate that the first cell supports serving a relay node, supports serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode, supports serving a relay node in an out-band operation mode, or supports resource coordination, the first cell being a cell accessed by the MT; the system broadcast message not carrying the capability information of the first cell, the capability information of the first cell being used to indicate that the first cell does not support serving a relay node, does not support serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode, does not support serving a relay node in an out-band operation mode, or does not support resource coordination.

23. The method of any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein, The method further comprises: In a case that it is determined that the cell accessed by the MT is not a cell satisfying a preset rule, sending, to the MT, a first message, the first message being used to release an RRC connection between the MT and the backhaul access node.

24. The method of any one of claims 16-22, wherein, The method further comprises: In a case where it is determined that the cell accessed by the MT is not the cell satisfying the preset rule, a fourth message is sent to the MT, the fourth message being used for instructing the MT to switch to the cell satisfying the preset rule. 25.A communication method, performed by a relay node or a chip in the relay node, the method comprising: Comprise: obtaining second frequency information of a base station unit gNB of the relay node and frequency information of a mobile terminal unit MT of the relay node, the second frequency information of the gNB being used for indicating a plurality of frequencies supported by the gNB, the frequency information of the MT being used for indicating an operating frequency expected to be used by the MT or an operating frequency currently used by the MT; determining, based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT, an operating frequency of the gNB satisfying a preset rule, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule being at least one frequency of the plurality of frequencies indicated by the second frequency information, the operating frequency satisfying the preset rule being used for determining an operating frequency used by the gNB.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The method further comprises: obtaining operating mode information of the relay node, the operating mode information being used for indicating whether the relay node allows an in-band operating mode and / or an out-of-band operating mode, the in-band operating mode being used for indicating that the MT and the gNB operate at the same frequency, the out-of-band operating mode being used for indicating that the MT and the gNB operate at different frequencies; The determination of the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT comprises: determining, based on the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT and the operating mode information, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein, The preset rule further comprises at least one of: in a case where the operating mode information is used for indicating that the relay node only allows the in-band operating mode, or the relay node determines to operate in the in-band operating mode, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency same as the operating frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT; or in a case where the operating mode information is used for indicating that the relay node only allows the out-of-band operating mode, or the relay node determines to operate in the out-of-band operating mode, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is a frequency different from the operating frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

28. The method of any one of claims 25-27, wherein, The determination of the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT comprises: in a case where the operating frequency currently used by the gNB does not satisfy the preset rule, the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule is determined based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT.

29. The method of any one of claims 25-28, wherein, The method further comprises: obtaining capability information of a second cell, the second cell being a cell corresponding to the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT, or a cell currently camped on or accessed by the MT; The determination of the operating frequency of the gNB satisfying the preset rule based on the second frequency information of the gNB and the frequency information of the MT comprises: determining, based on the second frequency information of the gNB, the frequency information of the MT, and the capability information of the second cell, a working frequency of the gNB that satisfies a preset rule; the capability information of the second cell is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second cell supports serving a relay node; or whether the second cell supports serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports serving a relay node in an out-band operation mode; or whether the second cell supports resource coordination.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, the preset rule comprises: in a case where the capability information of the second cell indicates that the second cell does not support resource coordination, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving a relay node in an in-band operation mode, or indicates that the second cell does not support serving a relay node, the working frequency of the gNB that satisfies the preset rule is a frequency different from the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the MT.

31. The method of any one of claims 25-30, wherein, the method further comprises: sending, to a network management device, the working frequency used by the gNB, the working frequency used by the gNB being one of the working frequencies that satisfy the preset rule.

32. A communications device, characterized by comprising a processor and a memory; wherein the memory stores a computer program; the processor invokes the computer program to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 8; or perform the method of any one of claims 9 to 15; or perform the method of any one of claims 25 to 31.

33. A communications device, characterized by comprising a processor and a memory; wherein the memory stores a computer program; the processor invokes the computer program to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 16 to 24.

34. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, instructions stored thereon, which when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 31.

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